Immunology of Fungal Infections [electronic resource] /
Brown, Gordon D.editor.
Netea, Mihai G.editor.
The history of mankind has been shaped by infections, more than by war and famine together. At the same time, however, the development of society has had an equally important effect on human diseases. The emergence of agriculture, urban societies and high population densities has been proven to be crucial for the spread of pathogens, and thus human action is currently the single most important driver of infectious epidemiology. Even today, where once major killers such as poliomyelitis have been eradicated, new pathogens are appearing as result of human activity. One such group of pathogens are the fungi, whose emergence is mainly due to modern medical practices. Fungal microorganisms, from yeasts colonizing the skin or mucosa, to molds from soil or water, are usually harmless in the context of normal host responses. However, the success of chemotherapy, as well as the AIDS pandemia, has led to immune deficiencies in a significant segment of the patient population, and the extensive use of intravenous catheters has provided a way of access for microorganisms which otherwise would find difficult to infect the host. As a result, a yeast such as Candida is now on the 4th place on the list of the most frequent sepsis agents, whereas infection with the mold Aspergillus is increasing in incidence and it is one of the most feared complications in patients with hematological malignancies.
Description based upon print version of record.
Front Matter; Macrophages; Dendritic cells; The Neutrophil; Lymphocytes; Other Cells: The role of non-neutrophilic granulocytes, NK and NKT cells in fungal immunology; Genes and gene pathways in Candida infection; Collectins and Pentraxins; Complement in fungal infections and complement evasion strategies; Cytokines; Antibodies; Recognition of fungal pathogens by Toll-like receptors; Fungal ß-Glucans and their Receptors; Detection of Fungi by Mannose-based Recognition Receptors; Pneumocystis; Interactions of Aspergillus fumigatus with its host during invasive pulmonary infections; Candida
Immunology of infections with Cryptococcus neoformansHistoplasma Capsulatum; Escape Mechanisms from the Immune Response; Cytokine Treatment of Fungal Infections; Fungal Vaccines and Vaccination: Problems and Perspectives; Back Matter
Includes bibliographical references and index.
The history of mankind has been shaped by infections, more than by war and famine together. At the same time, however, the development of society has had an equally important effect on human diseases. The emergence of agriculture, urban societies and high population densities has been proven to be crucial for the spread of pathogens, and thus human action is currently the single most important driver of infectious epidemiology. Even today, where once major killers such as poliomyelitis have been eradicated, new pathogens are appearing as result of human activity. One such group of pathogens are the fungi, whose emergence is mainly due to modern medical practices. Fungal microorganisms, from yeasts colonizing the skin or mucosa, to molds from soil or water, are usually harmless in the context of normal host responses. However, the success of chemotherapy, as well as the AIDS pandemia, has led to immune deficiencies in a significant segment of the patient population, and the extensive use of intravenous catheters has provided a way of access for microorganisms which otherwise would find difficult to infect the host. As a result, a yeast such as Candida is now on the 4th place on the list of the most frequent sepsis agents, whereas infection with the mold Aspergillus is increasing in incidence and it is one of the most feared complications in patients with hematological malignancies.
Immunology.
Medical microbiology.
Infectious diseases.
Immunology.
Medical Microbiology.
Infectious Diseases.