Genetic variability of innate immunity impacts human susceptibility to fungal diseases.
Fungi are a major threat in immunocompromised patients. Despite presenting similar degrees of immunosuppression, not all individuals at-risk ultimately develop fungal diseases. The traditional view of immune suppression as a key risk factor for susceptibility to fungal infections needs to be accommodated within new conceptual advances on host immunity and its relationship to fungal disease. The critical role of the immune system emphasizes the contribution of host genetic polymorphisms to fungal disease susceptibility. This review highlights the present knowledge on innate immunity genetics that associates with susceptibility to fungal diseases.
Carvalho
Agostinho
A
Microbiology Section, Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Via del Giochetto, 06126 Perugia, Italy. aacarvalho2008@gmail.com
Cunha
Cristina
C
Pasqualotto
Alessandro C
AC
Pitzurra
Lucia
L
Denning
David W
DW
Romani
Luigina
L
D000818:Animals; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000235:genetics*
D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition