Feasibility and prospects for a vaccine to prevent cryptococcosis.
Cryptococcosis is a relatively common fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans that has high morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies have established the feasibility of enhancing host immunity to C neoformans in naive immunocompetent animal models by vaccination. Several antigens have been identified that appear to be suitable vaccine candidates. Induced immune responses can mediate protection through both humoral and cellular immunity. Hence, a vaccine against cryptococcosis in humans is probably feasible but there are significant obstacles to vaccine development that range from uncertainties about the pathogenesis of infection to economic considerations.
Casadevall
Arturo
A
Division of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA. casadeva@aecom.yu.edu
Pirofski
Liise-Anne
LA
D000818:Animals; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000276:immunology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005657:Fungal Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D014611:Vaccination / Q000191:economics
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D005657:Fungal Vaccines