title: Complement in Candida albicans infections.
abstract: Being normally a frequent commensal organism of the oro-gastrointestinal tract as well as the vulvovaginal cavity in immunocompetent individuals, Candida albicans also represents a major cause of opportunistic infections in locally or systemically immunocompromised hosts. Subsequent symptoms vary and range from superficial thrush to life-threatening systemic infections. The complement system is one of the first defenders of the body against this danger and initiates a fast and efficient antifungal reaction. However, Candida is not an easy prey and counteracts with different complement evasion strategies to undermine this innate immune system. In the present article we summarize the different rounds in the fight between C. albicans and the complement system, and give a short outlook on putative complement-based therapeutic approaches.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Microbiology and Social Medicine, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Gunter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rambach
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Speth
mesh_terms: D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology*; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011951:Receptors, Complement; D003165:Complement System Proteins