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Manuela Gómez-Gaviria, Luisa M Contreras-López, Julieta I Aguilera-Domínguez, Héctor M Mora-Montes Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto, MéxicoCorrespondence: Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, C.P, Guanajuato, Gto, 36050, México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email hmora@ugto.mxAbstract: Fungal infections represent a worldwide concern for public health, due to their prevalence and significant increase in cases each year. Among the most frequent mycoses are those caused by members of the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Histoplasma, Pneumocystis, Mucor, and Sporothrix, which have been treated for years with conventional antifungal drugs, such as flucytosine, azoles, polyenes, and echinocandins. However, these microorganisms have acquired the ability to evade the mechanisms of action of these drugs, thus hindering their treatment. Among the most common evasion mechanisms are alterations in sterol biosynthesis, modifications of drug transport through the cell wall and membrane, alterations of drug targets, phenotypic plasticity, horizontal gene transfer, and chromosomal aneuploidies. Taking into account these problems, some research groups have sought new therapeutic alternatives based on drug repositioning. Through repositioning, it is possible to use existing pharmacological compounds for which their mechanism of action is already established for other diseases, and thus exploit their potential antifungal activity. The advantage offered by these drugs is that they may be less prone to resistance. In this article, a comprehensive review was carried out to highlight the most relevant repositioning drugs to treat fungal infections. These include antibiotics, antivirals, anthelmintics, statins, and anti-inflammatory drugs.Keywords: action mechanisms, antifungal resistance, clinical pathogens, repositioning, new treatments

Manuela Gómez-Gaviria, Laura C García-Carnero, Dario A Baruch-Martínez, Héctor M Mora-Montes Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto., MéxicoCorrespondence: Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto., México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email hmora@ugto.mxAbstract: Fungal infections represent a constant and growing menace to public health. This concern is due to the emergence of new fungal species and the increase in antifungal drug resistance. Mycoses caused by Candida species are among the most common nosocomial infections and are associated with high mortality rates when the infection affects deep-seated organs. Candida metapsilosis is part of the Candida parapsilosis complex and has been described as part of the oral microbiota of healthy individuals. Within the complex, this species is considered the least virulent; however, the prevalence has been increasing in recent years, as well as an increment in the resistance to some antifungal drugs. One of the main concerns of candidiasis caused by this species is the wide range of clinical manifestations, ranging from tissue colonization to superficial infections, and in more severe cases it can spread, which makes diagnosis and treatment difficult. The study of virulence factors of this species is limited, however, proteomic comparisons between species indicate that virulence factors in this species could be similar to those already described for C. albicans. However, differences may exist, taking into account changes in the lifestyle of the species. Here, we provide a detailed review of the current literature about this organism, the caused disease, and some sharing aspects with other members of the complex, focusing on its biology, virulence factors, the host-fungus interaction, the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of infection.Keywords: antifungal resistance, candidiasis, Candida parapsilosis complex, emerging pathogens, virulence factors

Diana M Clavijo-Giraldo,1 Luis A Pérez-García,1,2 Marco J Hernández-Chávez,1 Iván Martínez-Duncker,3 Héctor M Mora-Montes1 1Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto., México; 2Facultad de Estudios Profesionales Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, México; 3Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, MéxicoCorrespondence: Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, C.P, Guanajuato, Gto., 36050, México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email hmora@ugto.mxBackground: Mycoses are a growing threat to human health, and systemic candidiasis caused by Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis is frequent in immunocompromised patients. Biofilm formation is a virulence factor found in these organisms, as sessile cells adhere to surfaces, the stratification and production of extracellular matrix provides protection and resistance to antifungal drugs. Previous evidence indicated that the N-linked mannosylation pathway is relevant to C. albicans biofilms, but its contribution to other species remains unknown.Methods: C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis och1∆ mutants, which have a disrupted N-linked mannosylation pathway, were used to form biofilms. In addition, wild-type and mutant cells were also treated to remove N-linked mannans or block this pathway. Biofilms were analyzed by quantifying the included fungal biomass, and extracellular matrix components. Moreover, gene expression and secreted hydrolytic enzymes were also quantified in these biofilms.Results: The och1∆ mutants showed a reduced ability to form biofilms in both fungal species when compared to the wild-type and control strains. This observation was confirmed by trimming N-linked mannans from walls or blocking the pathway with tunicamycin B. According to this observation, mutant, and treated cells showed an altered composition of the extracellular matrix and increased susceptibility to antifungal drugs when compared to control or untreated cells. The gene expression of secreted virulence factors, such as aspartyl proteinases and phospholipases, was normal in all the tested cells but the secreted activity was reduced, suggesting a defect in the secretory pathway, which was later confirmed by treating cells with brefeldin A.Conclusion: Proper N-linked mannosylation is required for biofilm formation in both C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis. Disruption of this posttranslational modification affected the secretory pathway, offering a link between glycosylation and biofilm formation.Keywords: secretion, virulence factor, phospholipase, aspartyl proteinase, antifungal drug resistance

Manuela Gómez-Gaviria,1 Iván Martínez-Duncker,2 Laura C García-Carnero,1 Héctor M Mora-Montes1 1Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Guanajuato México; 2Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, MéxicoCorrespondence: Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, C.P, Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext 8153, Email hmora@ugto.mxBackground: Sporotrichosis is a mycosis frequently caused by Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa. The cell wall is a species-specific fungal structure with a direct role in activating the host’s immune response. The current knowledge about anti-Sporothrix immunity comes from studies using S. schenckii or S. brasiliensis and murine cells. Macrophages and dendritic cells detect and eliminate pathogens, and although the function of these cells links innate with adaptive immunity, little is known about their interaction with Sporothrix spp.Methods: S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa conidia or yeast-like cells were co-incubated with human monocyte-derived macrophages or dendritic cells, and the phagocytosis and cytokine stimulation were assessed. These interactions were also performed in the presence of specific blocking agents of immune receptors or fungal cells with altered walls to analyze the contribution of these molecules to the immune cell-fungus interaction.Results: Both types of immune cells phagocytosed S. globosa conidia and yeast-like cells to a greater extent, followed by S. brasiliensis and S. schenckii. Furthermore, when the wall internal components were exposed, the phagocytosis level increased for S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, in contrast to S. globosa. Thus, the cell wall components have different functions during the interaction with macrophages and dendritic cells. S. globosa stimulated an increased proinflammatory response when compared to the other species. In macrophages, this was a dectin-1-, mannose receptor-, and TLR2-dependent response, but dectin-1- and TLR2-dependent stimulation in dendritic cells. For S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, cytokine production was dependent on the activation of TLR4, CR3, and DC-SIGN.Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that these species are recognized by immune cells differently and that this may depend on both the structure and cell wall organization of the different morphologies.Keywords: cell wall, cytokine production, fungal morphologies, immune response, phagocytosis

Manuela Gómez-Gaviria,* José A Martínez-Álvarez, Joaquín O Chávez-Santiago, Héctor M Mora-Montes* Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto, México*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Manuela Gómez-Gaviria; Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, Gto, C. P. 36050, México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email m.gomezgaviria@ugto.mx; hmora@ugto.mxAbstract: There is worldwide concern about the constant increase in infections caused by Candida species that are multiresistant to antifungal drugs. The most common candidiasis is caused by Candida albicans, however, the species of the Candida haemulonii complex and Candida auris are emerging opportunistic pathogens, which isolation from clinical samples has significantly increased in the past years. The special interest in the study of these species lies in their ability to evade the action of antifungal drugs, such as amphotericin B, azoles, and echinocandins. In addition, the phenotypic changes of these species have given them the ability to easily adapt to environmental changes, including the host milieu and immunity. In this paper, a detailed review of the current literature on the C. haemulonii complex and C. auris is shown, analyzing aspects such as biology, immune response, putative virulence factors, infection, treatment, and the current strategies for diagnosis.Keywords: antifungal resistance, candidiasis, cryptic Candida species, emerging pathogens, virulence factors, Candida haemulonii complex, Candida auris

Diana F Mendoza-Reyes, Manuela Gómez-Gaviria,* Héctor M Mora-Montes* Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto, C.P. 36050, México*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Manuela Gómez-Gaviria; Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, Gto, C.P. 36050, México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email m.gomezgaviria@ugto.mx; hmora@ugto.mxAbstract: The incidence of fungal infections is increasing at an alarming rate and has posed a great challenge for science in recent years. The rise in these infections has been related to the increase in immunocompromised patients and the resistance of different species to antifungal drugs. Infections caused by the different Candida species, especially Candida albicans, are one of the most common mycoses in humans, and the etiological agents are considered opportunistic pathogens associated with high mortality rates when disseminated infections occur. Candida lusitaniae is considered an emerging opportunistic pathogen that most frequently affects immunocompromised patients with some comorbidity. Although it is a low-frequency pathogen, and the mortality rate of C. lusitaniae-caused candidemia does not exceed 5%, some isolates are known to be resistant to antifungals such as amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine, and fluconazole. In this paper, a detailed review of the current literature on this organism and its different aspects, such as its biology, possible virulence factors, pathogen-host interaction, diagnosis, and treatment of infection, is provided. Of particular interest, through Blastp analysis we predicted possible virulence factors in this species.Keywords: biological aspects, candidiasis, multidrug resistance, opportunistic pathogens, virulence factors

Nallely Nava-Pérez, Lisset G Neri-García, Oscar E Romero-González, Joshua A Terrones-Cruz, Laura C García-Carnero,* Héctor M Mora-Montes* Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Laura C García-Carnero; Héctor M Mora-Montes, Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, col. Noria Alta, C.P, Guanajuato, 36050, Gto., México, Tel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193, Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153, Email laura_cgc@hotmail.com; hmora@ugto.mxAbstract: Sporotrichosis is an important subcutaneous mycosis with high prevalence and threat to human and animal health worldwide. Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are the main etiological agents of this disease; and even though many efforts have been made recently to understand the Sporothrix-host interaction, little is known about S. globosa, an underestimated species. This organism shows the lowest virulence among the members of the Sporothrix pathogenic clade and represents an important pathogenic agent due to its global distribution. Here, we offer a review with all the known information about S. globosa, including its genome and proteomic information, and compare it with S. schenckii and S. brasiliensis, to explain the differences observed among these species, in terms of virulence, the host immune response, and the antifungal sensitivity. Also, we provide the gene prediction of some S. globosa putative virulence factors.Keywords: antifungal drugs, fungal infection, host–fungus interplay, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment

Nancy E Lozoya-Pérez,1 Laura C García-Carnero,1 José A Martínez-Álvarez,1 Iván Martínez-Duncker,2 Héctor M Mora-Montes1 1Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, 36050, México; 2Laboratorio de Glicobiología Humana y Diagnóstico Molecular; Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, MéxicoCorrespondence: Héctor M Mora-MontesDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, C.P, Guanajuato, 36050, MéxicoTel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153Email hmora@ugto.mxBackground: Sporotrichosis is an increasing threat for humans, affecting mainly skin and subcutaneous tissues but that can cause disseminated infection in immunocompromised patients. Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix brasiliensis, and Sporothrix globosa are the main etiological agents of this mycosis, and each species show different virulence levels. The gold standard to assess fungal virulence is the mouse model that is expensive and time-consuming. Thus, invertebrate models have been reported as an alternative for the evaluation of fungal virulence. Here, we assessed whether Tenebrio molitor larvae could be a new alternative to study Sporothrix spp. virulence.Methods: T. molitor larvae were inoculated with different doses of S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa, and animal mortality, cytotoxicity, and immunological parameters were analyzed, including the ability to stimulate immunological priming.Results: Mortality curves demonstrated that yeast-like cells were the best fungal morphology to kill larvae and showed a similar ranking in virulence than that reported in other animal models, ie, being S. brasiliensis and S. globosa the species with the highest and lowest virulence, respectively. The usefulness of this model was validated with the analysis of several S. schenckii strains with different virulence degrees, and changes in cytotoxicity, humoral and cellular immunological parameters. Low-virulence strains stimulated low levels of cytotoxicity, phenoloxidase activity, and hemocyte countings, and these immunological cells poorly uptake fungi. Moreover, using recombinant Gp70 from S. schenckii immunological priming was stimulated in larvae and this protected against a lethal dose of fungal cells from any of the three species under study.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that T. molitor larvae are an appropriate alternative invertebrate model to analyze the virulence of S. schenckii, S. brasiliensis, and S. globosa. Additionally, hemocyte levels, phenoloxidase activity, cytotoxicity, uptake by hemocytes, and immunological priming are biological parameters that can be used to study the Sporothrix–T. molitor interaction.Keywords: experimental sporotrichosis, fungal infection, host–fungus interplay, hemocytes, phenoloxidase

Manuela Gómez-Gaviria, Héctor M Mora-Montes Departamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Gto, MéxicoCorrespondence: Héctor M Mora-MontesDepartamento de Biología, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta s/n, Col. Noria Alta, C.P. 36050, Guanajuato, Gto, MéxicoTel +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8193Fax +52 473-7320006 Ext. 8153Email hmora@ugto.mxAbstract: Fungal infections represent a constant and growing menace to human health, because of the emergence of new species as causative agents of diseases and the increment of antifungal drug resistance. Candidiasis is one of the most common fungal infections in humans and is associated with a high mortality rate when the fungi infect deep-seated organs. Candida krusei belongs to the group of candidiasis etiological agents, and although it is not isolated as frequently as other Candida species, the infections caused by this organism are of special relevance in the clinical setting because of its intrinsic resistance to fluconazole. Here, we offer a thorough revision of the current literature dealing with this organism and the caused disease, focusing on its biological aspects, the host-fungus interaction, the diagnosis, and the infection treatment. Of particular relevance, we provide the most recent genomic information, including the gene prediction of some putative virulence factors, like proteases, adhesins, regulators of biofilm formation and dimorphism. Moreover, C. krusei veterinary aspects and the exploration of natural products with anti-C. krusei activity are also included.Keywords: virulence, candidiasis, host-fungus interplay, antifungal drug, immune sensing

María J Navarro-Arias,1 Marco J Hernández-Chávez,1 Laura C García-Carnero,1 Diana G Amezcua-Hernández,1 Nancy E Lozoya-Pérez,1 Eine Estrada-Mata,1 Iván Martínez-Duncker,2 Bernardo Franco,1 Héctor M Mora-Montes1 1Department of Biology, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, 36050, Guanajuato, Gto, México; 2Laboratory of Human Glycobiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Centro de Investigación en Dinámica Celular, Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Básicas y Aplicadas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, 62209, Morelos, México Background: The deep-seated infections caused by the Candida genus are associated with a high mortality rate, and Candida albicans is the most frequent species associated with these diseases. The fungal wall is composed of macromolecules not synthesized by the host, and therefore is a source of ligands recognized by innate immune cells. Methods: We performed a comparative study analyzing the cell wall composition and organization of Candida tropicalis, Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, and Candida auris, along with their ability to stimulate cytokine production and phagocytosis by human innate immune cells. Results: We found that the wall of these species had the basic components already described in C. albicans, with most of the chitin and b1,3-glucan located underneath the mannan layer. However, the walls of C. krusei and C. auris were rich in chitin and the former had a lower content of mannans. C. guilliermondii contained changes in the mannan and the b1,3-glucan levels. These species were differentially phagocytosed by human macrophages and stimulated cytokine production in a dectin-1-dependent pathway. C. krusei showed the most significant changes in the tested parameters, whereas C. auris behaved like C. albicans. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the cell wall and innate immune recognition of C. tropicalis, C. guilliermondii, C. krusei, and Candida auris is different from that reported for C. albicans. Keywords: cell wall, protein glycosylation, host–fungus interplay, phagocytosis, cytokine production

Nancy E Lozoya-Pérez,1 Sergio Casas-Flores,2 José Roberto Fogaça de Almeida,3 José A Martínez-Álvarez,1 Luz A López-Ramírez,1 Grasielle Pereira Jannuzzi,3 Elías Trujillo-Esquivel,1 Eine Estrada-Mata,1 Sandro R Almeida,3 Bernardo Franco,1 Leila M Lopes-Bezerra,3,4 Héctor M Mora-Montes1 1Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Universidad de Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico; 2Division of Molecular Biology, IPICYT, San Luis Potosí, Mexico; 3Laboratory of Clinical Mycology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; 4Laboratory of Cellular Mycology and Proteomics, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Background: Sporothrix schenckii is a neglected fungal pathogen for the human being and other mammals. In several fungal systems, Och1 is a Golgi α1,6-mannosyltransferase with a key function in the synthesis of N-linked glycans; which are important elements during the host-fungus interplay. The role of OCH1 in fungal virulence seems to be species-specific, being an essential component for Candida albicans virulence and dispensable during the interaction of Aspergillus fumigatus with the host. Methods: Here, we silenced S. schenckii OCH1 and characterized the phenotype of the mutant strains. Results: The mutant strains did not show defects in the cell or colony morphology, the growth rate or the ability to undergo dimorphism; but the cell wall changed in both composition and exposure of inner components at the surface. When interacting with human monocytes, the silenced strains had a reduced ability to stimulate TNFα and IL-6 but stimulated higher levels of IL-10. The interaction with human macrophages was also altered, with reduced numbers of silenced cells phagocytosed. These strains showed virulence attenuation in both Galleria mellonella and in the mouse model of sporotrichosis. Nonetheless, the cytokine levels in infected organs did not vary significantly when compared with the wild-type strain. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that OCH1 silencing affects different aspects of the S. schenckii-host interaction. Keywords: cell wall, protein glycosylation, sporotrichosis, gene silencing, host–fungus interplay, mannosyltransferase

Laura C García-Carnero,1 Luis A Pérez-García,2 José A Martínez-Álvarez,1 Juana E Reyes-Martínez,1 Héctor M Mora-Montes1 1Department of Biology, Division of Exact and Natural Sciences, Campus Guanajuato, Universidad de Guanajuato, 2Multidisciplinay Academic Unit, Zona Huasteca, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Ciudad Valles, México Abstract: Human fungal infections remain a major challenge in medicine. Only a limited number of antifungal drugs are available, which are often related to severe adverse effects. In addition, there is an increased emergence related to resistant strains, which makes imperative to understand the host-pathogen interactions as well as to develop alternative treatments. Host innate and adaptive immunity play a crucial role controlling fungal infections; therefore, vaccines are a viable tool to prevent and treat fungal pathogens. Innate immunity is triggered by the interaction between the cell surface pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and the pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Such an initial immunological response is yet little understood in fungal infections, in part due to the complexity and plasticity of the fungal cell walls. Described host cell–fungus interactions and antigenic molecules are addressed in this paper. Furthermore, antigens found in the cell wall and capsule, including peptides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, and glycans, have been used to trigger specific immune responses, and an increased production of antibodies has been observed when attached to immunogenic molecules. The recent biotechnological advances have allowed the development of vaccines against viral and bacterial pathogens with positive results; therefore, this technology has been applied to develop anti-fungal vaccines. Passive immunization has also emerged as an appealing alternative to treat disseminated mycosis, especially in immunocompromised patients. Those approaches have a long way to be seen in clinical cases. However, all studies discussed here open the possibility to have access to new therapies to be applied alone or in combination with current antifungal drugs. Herein, the state of the art of fungal vaccine developments is discussed in this review, highlighting new advances against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Cryptococcus neoformans, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Sporothrix spp. Keywords: anti-fungal immunity, candidiasis, aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis