Abstract
The invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major cause of mortality due to infectious disease worldwide. Majority of the IFIs are caused by opportunistic fungi including Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus species. Lack of approved antifungal vaccines and the emergence of antifungal drug-resistant strains pose major constraints in controlling IFIs. A comprehensive understanding of the host immune response is required to develop novel fungal vaccines to prevent death from IFIs. In this review, we have discussed the challenges associated with the development of antifungal vaccines. We mentioned how host-pathogen interactions shape immunological memory and development of long-term protective immunity to IFIs. Furthermore, we underscored the contribution of long-lived innate and adaptive memory cells in protection against IFIs and summarized the current vaccine strategies.
Highlights
Every year around 1.5 million death occur due to invasive fungal infections (IFIs) worldwide [1]
Mice infected with an attenuated C. albicans strain showed protection against invasive Candidiasis [56, 57]
This data indicates that anti-fungus antibodies is not sufficient to prevent future fungal infections and T cell-mediated immune response plays a significant role in the long-term
Summary
Every year around 1.5 million death occur due to invasive fungal infections (IFIs) worldwide [1]. Death due to fungal sepsis and end-organ damage are commonly seen in immunocompromised patients or individuals with inborn errors in immunity, who are unable to control IFIs [2]. The causative agent for invasive Candidiasis is Candida species, more commonly Candida albicans, responsible for causing around 46–75% of all IFIs. When Candida spp gain access to the bloodstream, it causes significantly high mortality (rates 40-60%), in hospitalized patients and immunocompromised individuals [1, 5]. When Candida spp gain access to the bloodstream, it causes significantly high mortality (rates 40-60%), in hospitalized patients and immunocompromised individuals [1, 5] Another cause of IFIs is invasive Aspergillosis, which is caused by a saprophytic bacteria A. fumigatus. Cryptococcosis, caused by Cryptococcus neoformans infects over a million individuals with 20–70% mortality rate annually [1, 6]
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