Augmentation of innate host defenses against opportunistic fungal pathogens

Development of invasive fungal infection is the result of the complex interaction between fungal and host factors. The outcome of infection, once it has developed, depends upon appropriate use of antifungal therapy, surgical debridement as indicated, and improvement of host defenses. Thus, there have been major efforts for development of new strategies for immunomodulation and augmentation of host defenses in prevention and treatment of invasive mycoses. These modalities include granulocyte and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors, interferon-γ, granulocyte transfusions, immunotherapy with infusion of dendritic cells and T cells, anti-heat shock protein 90 monoclonal antibodies, long pentraxin 3, mannose-binding lectin, and deferasirox. Although major strides in our understanding of augmentation of host response to invasive fungal infections are opening up novel avenues of therapy to harness patients' innate immune systems against these frequently lethal pathogens, well-designed clinical trials are needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy of these new approaches. Copyright © 2009 by Current Medicine Group LLC.