Immunization and dermatophytes.
OBJECTIVE
Despite the availability of effective vaccines for certain animal species, vaccination against dermatophytosis requires improvement and further development in both animals and humans. This review provides an update on the current situation and focuses on recent advances in host-dermatophyte relationships that could have implications for future vaccination against the most prevalent of the fungal diseases.


RESULTS
Numerous dermatophytic virulence factors have recently been isolated and characterized at the molecular level, notably secreted proteases involved in the invasion of the keratin network. Their precise roles in the different steps of the infectious process and in immunopathogenesis are being studied, while all aspects of the host immune response against dermatophytes, including the innate response, are becoming increasingly documented. In addition, new molecular tools are now available for studying dermatophytes, which will accelerate research on this topic.


CONCLUSIONS
The growth of knowledge concerning all aspects of the host-dermatophyte relationship should contribute towards sound strategies for the development of effective and safe vaccines against dermatophytosis.
Mignon
Bernard
B
Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium. bmignon@ulg.ac.be
Tabart
Jérémy
J
Baldo
Aline
A
Mathy
Anne
A
Losson
Bertrand
B
Vermout
Sandy
S
D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003883:Arthrodermataceae / Q000276:immunology* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005657:Fungal Vaccines; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D037521:Virulence Factors / Q000502:physiology
D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D005657:Fungal Vaccines; D037521:Virulence Factors; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases