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Fungal Infections in Disorders of Inborn Errors of Immunity
Manpreet Dhaliwal1, Vaishali Thakur1, Adilia Warris2
1Pediatric Allergy Immunology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Advanced Pediatrics Centre, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
|July 16, 2026
Summary
Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) reveal crucial host defense pathways against fungal infections. Studying these genetic defects enhances understanding of fungal immunity and co-infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genetics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Emerging infectious threats necessitate understanding host immune adaptability.
- Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) offer insights into single-gene defects impacting host-pathogen interactions.
- Fungal infections pose significant challenges to human health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review fungal immunity through the perspective of IEIs.
- To integrate recent advances in innate fungal recognition and effector mechanisms.
- To explore the role of specific signaling pathways and cytokine axes in antifungal defense.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on IEIs and fungal immunity.
- Integration of data on innate immune recognition, neutrophil and phagocyte functions.
- Analysis of CARD9/NF-kB signaling, IL-17/IL-23, and IL-12/IFN-gamma pathways.
- Examination of transcription-factor defects and acquired phenocopies.
Main Results:
- IEIs highlight critical pathways in antifungal defense, including innate recognition, effector mechanisms, and cytokine signaling.
- Specific genetic defects confer susceptibility to various fungal pathogens like Candida, Aspergillus, and Pneumocystis.
- Acquired phenocopies and co-infections provide further insights into immune defense plasticity.
Conclusions:
- IEIs are instrumental in dissecting host-pathogen interactions and understanding antifungal immunity.
- Translating IEI mechanisms into clinical practice aids in diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.
- Studying IEIs illuminates the hierarchy and adaptability of host defense against diverse infections.
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