Consideration of Invasive Fungal Infections in Immunocompetent Hosts

[摘要] Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are life-threatening infections with poor prognosis. Important cells with antifungal host defence are dendritic cells, neutrophils, macrophages, NK cells, CD4 T cell (Th1, Th2, Th9, Th17, and T Reg), and CD8 cells (1). These cells produce cytokines and chemotactic factors and contribute to human fungal protection (1, 2). Invasive fungal infections occur in immunocompromised patients or in patients treated with immunosuppressive or chemotherapy drugs (3, 4). Severity of infection depends on the mechanisms of pathogenicity of etiologic agents, mechanisms of the host immune system defense against infection, and the site of infection. These infections are uncommon in healthy individuals, yet unfortunately, in the recent years there have been reports about infection in immunocompetent hosts as well (5, 6). It is notable that some patients are healthy in the first examination and after diagnosis of fungal infection, upon secondary examination, risk factors for fungal infections are found.

[学科分类] 基础医学

[关键词] Immunocompetent Host;Fungal Infection;C;ida;Aspergillus