Immune defence mechanisms and immunoenhancement strategies in oropharyngeal candidiasis.
The prevalence of oropharyngeal candidiasis continues to be high, mainly because of an increasing population of immunocompromised patients. Traditional treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis has relied on the use of antimicrobial drugs. However, unsatisfactory results with drug monotherapy and the emergence of resistant strains have prompted investigations into the potential use of adjunctive immunoenhancing therapies for the treatment of these infections. Here we review the host-recognition systems of Candida albicans, the immune and inflammatory response to infection, and antifungal effector mechanisms. The potential of immune modulation as a therapeutic strategy in oropharyngeal candidiasis is also discussed.
Department of Periodontics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry, San Antonio, Texas 78229, USA. villar@uthscsa.edu
Cristina Cunha
CC
Villar
Anna
A
Dongari-Bagtzoglou
D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D009960:Oropharynx; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000099181:Dectin-1
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D000099181:Dectin-1