Warfare and defense: The host response to Cryptococcus infection

Publication date: March 2018Source: Fungal Biology Reviews, Volume 32, Issue 2Author(s): Fabianno F. Dutra, Priscila C. Albuquerque, Marcio L. Rodrigues, Fernanda L. FonsecaAbstractCryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gatti are the etiological agents of cryptococcosis, a life-threatening mycosis affecting the central nervous system. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the most fatal mycosis in AIDS patients, resulting almost 200 000 deaths annually. High cost, side effects and drug resistance are constant elements during treatment of cryptococcosis, encouraging the development of novel therapeutic strategies including immunomodulatory protocols. Thereby, to understand how the host responds to Cryptococcus is essential. In this review, we discuss the immune response against Cryptococcus and immunoevasion strategies.
Source: Fungal Biology Reviews - Category: Biology Source Type: research