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Innate host defenses against Cryptococcus neoformans

  • Review
  • Biology of Human Fungal Pathogen
  • Published:
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Abstract

Cryptococcus neoformans, the predominant etiological agent of cryptococcosis, can cause life-threatening infections of the central nervous system in immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis is the most common disseminated fungal infection in AIDS patients, and remains the third most common invasive fungal infection among organ transplant recipients. The administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in a decrease in the number of cases of AIDS-related cryptococcosis in developed countries, but in developing countries where HAART is not readily available, Cryptococcus is still a major concern. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of novel therapies and/or vaccines to combat cryptococcosis. Understanding the protective immune responses against Cryptococcus is critical for development of vaccines and immunotherapies to combat cryptococcosis. Consequently, this review focuses on our current knowledge of protective immune responses to C. neoformans, with an emphasis on innate immune responses.

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  1. Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA

    Camaron Hole & Floyd L. Wormley Jr.

  2. The South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA

    Camaron Hole & Floyd L. Wormley Jr.

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Hole, C., Wormley, F.L. Innate host defenses against Cryptococcus neoformans . J Microbiol. 54, 202–211 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-016-5625-7

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