IMMUNOLOGY TEXTBOOK - Mercury Podillia 2013

MECHANISMS OF IMMUNE DEFENSE IN BACTERIAL, VIRAL, FUNGAL, AND PROTOZOAN INFECTIONS

Features of Immunity in Fungal Diseases

The characteristics of antifungal Immunity depend on the morphological properties of Fungi (Cell size, shape), The complexity of their antigenic composition, their Variability depending on environmental conditions, as well as the form and stage of the mycosis.

Most fungi are free-living organisms, and only a few of them are capable of causing disease. Furthermore, for a disease to develop in a fungus-infected individual, a prerequisite is the presence of immune deficiency involving polymorphonuclear leukocytes, T-lymphocytes, or the C3 Complement component. Functional defects of leukocytes include their inability to form pseudopodia ("lazy leukocyte syndrome"), failure to form phagolysosomes (Chediak-Higashi syndrome), and impaired ability to produce reactive oxygen species required for microbial Digestion. C3 deficiency also leads to reduced phagocytic activity. Finally, human mycoses most frequently occur against a backdrop of low production of T-lymphocytes (T-suppressors and T-helpers).

The Development of immunity is associated with the restoration of the functional activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and enhanced production of T-lymphocytes.

Specific Antibodies are produced only in certain forms of deep mycoses. It is believed that they do not participate in defense mechanisms, merely serving as markers of the body's immune restructuring.