Cytokines and Anti-Fungal Immunity

Abstract

Candida albicans is classified as an opportunistic pathogen because of its relatively low virulence in normal hosts without underlying disease (1). Indeed, it forms part of the normal flora of man. Superficial and oral infections by this organism, however, is commonplace in immunocompromised individuals and systemic infection oftens leads to an unfavorable prognosis, particularly in AIDS patients and other patients undergoing cytoreductive therapy (2–5). There is therefore a need to clarify both the infectious mechanisms of the organism and the host defense mechanism against it.