What's new in the mechanisms of host resistance to Candida albicans infection?

Abstract

Despite extensive investigation, the mechanisms of host resistance against C. albicans infection remain poorly understood. Granulocytes and macrophages are the major effector cell types; however, their intrinsic candidacidal activity is rather limited, and its full expression requires augmentation by components of the T cell-initiated lymphokine cascade. Consequently, susceptibility to recurrent mucocutaneous infections may be associated with aberrant T cell function. In contrast, protection from systemic infection appears to be mediated by candida-specific antibodies.