title: Genetic Susceptibility to Fungal Infections: What is in the Genes?
abstract: The development of severe fungal infections has long been associated with traditional risk factors such as profound immunosuppression, yet it remains challenging to understand why under similar conditions only some patients will develop these infections while others will not. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of host genetic variation in influencing the severity and susceptibility to invasive fungal infections (IFIs). In this review, we examine selected primary immunodeficiencies characterized by their vulnerability to a narrow range of fungal pathogens, and then focus on recently identified genetic polymorphisms associated with an increased susceptibility to IFIs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA; Hanes House Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: Stacey A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Maskarinec
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA; Department of Clinical Research Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences Buies Creek, NC, USA; Duke University Medical Center Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: Melissa D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC, USA; Hanes House Box 102359, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Perfect
keywords: Cryptococcus; Genetic susceptibility; Invasive Candida infection; Invasive aspergillosis; Single-nucleotide polymorphism