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Immunotherapy in Ocular Fungal Infections: Advances and Emerging Strategies
Agimanailiu Khapuinamai1,2, Joveeta Joseph3
1Jhaveri Microbiology Centre, Brien Holden Eye Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500034, India.
Current Microbiology
|May 3, 2026
Summary
Ocular fungal infections are a global health issue. Immunomodulation offers a promising strategy to enhance antifungal defenses and improve treatment outcomes by targeting host immunity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Ocular fungal infections pose a significant global health challenge, particularly in tropical regions.
- Current antifungal treatments face limitations including poor bioavailability, delayed diagnosis, toxicity, and reduced efficacy in immunocompromised patients.
- Host immunity plays a crucial role in disease progression and treatment success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the complex immune responses involved in ocular fungal infections.
- To explore emerging immunotherapeutic strategies as adjunctive treatments.
- To highlight the potential of host-directed interventions in shifting the treatment paradigm.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on innate and adaptive immunity in ocular fungal infections.
- Exploration of various immunotherapeutic approaches, including host defense peptides, cytokine therapies, cellular therapies, and extracellular vesicles.
- Analysis of challenges and potential of clinical translation for immunomodulatory therapies.
Main Results:
- Ocular fungal infections involve intricate interplay between innate and adaptive immunity.
- Emerging immunotherapies like cytokine therapies (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-17, IL-33), cellular therapies (MSCs, CAR-T, dendritic cells), and extracellular vesicles show promise.
- Host defense peptides represent another avenue for immunomodulation.
Conclusions:
- Immunomodulatory therapies offer a promising adjunctive strategy to conventional antifungal treatments.
- These host-directed interventions can enhance antifungal defense and mitigate immunopathology.
- Despite challenges, immunomodulation has the potential to revolutionize ocular fungal infection treatment.
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