1. Host defence against disseminated Candida albicans infection and implications for antifungal immunotherapy.
- Author
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Vonk AG, Netea MG, van der Meer JW, and Kullberg BJ
- Subjects
- Adjuvants, Immunologic economics, Animals, Candidiasis immunology, Candidiasis prevention & control, Complement System Proteins immunology, Dendritic Cells immunology, Drug Therapy, Combination, Fluconazole therapeutic use, Fungal Vaccines administration & dosage, Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor therapeutic use, Humans, Immunity, Cellular drug effects, Immunity, Innate drug effects, Interferon-gamma therapeutic use, Killer Cells, Natural immunology, Phagocytes immunology, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic economics, Receptors, Pattern Recognition immunology, Recombinant Proteins, Th1 Cells immunology, Th2 Cells immunology, Adjuvants, Immunologic therapeutic use, Antifungal Agents therapeutic use, Candida albicans immunology, Candidiasis drug therapy
- Abstract
The different manifestations of Candida albicans infection are dictated by an underlying defect in the immune response of the host. Protective immunity to disseminated candidiasis, the manifestation of C. albicans infection discussed in this review, has traditionally been ascribed to innate immunity with emphasis on the role of granulocytes. Lately, however, immunological studies have learned that host defence against disseminated candidiasis is based on a complex interplay between innate and cell-mediated immunity. Despite the availability of new antifungal agents, mortality associated with disseminated C. albicans infection remains high. Immunotherapy that augments host defence is an important strategic option in the battle against disseminated candidiasis. Here, the authors review the chronological events in the pathogenesis of disseminated candidiasis that aid in predicting the impact of existing immunotherapy and the development of future immunomodulating strategies.
- Published
- 2006
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