It's all in your head: antifungal immunity in the brain. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Snarr, Brendan D; Drummond, Rebecca A; Lionakis, Michail S
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 58(2020)
• Page Start: 41
• Page End: 46
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2020.07.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Brain fungal infections are a growing problem, affecting both immunocompromised and putatively immunocompetent individuals. Fungi enter the brain by crossing the blood–brain barrier or by direct inoculation. Resident and recruited immune cells are required to clear or contain brain fungal infection. Immune response often results in neurotoxicity and lack of subsequent tissue repair. Abstract : As the incidence rate of invasive fungal infections has increased with the use of modern medical interventions, so too has the occurrence of fungi invading the brain. Fungi such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus often infect immunocompromised individuals, and can use several strategies to invade the central nervous system (CNS) by penetrating the blood–brain barrier. Once in the brain parenchyma the specialized resident immune cells need to effectively recognize the fungus and mount an appropriate immune response to clear the infection, without causing debilitating immune-mediated toxicity and neuronal damage. Here we review the current knowledge pertaining to the antifungal response of the CNS and highlight areas where future research is required.