Special issue: Fungal pathogenesis in humans: The growing threat

Abstract

Approximately 150 fungal species are considered as primary pathogens of humans and animals. The variety of infections that they may cause ranges from localized cutaneous, subcutaneous or mucosal infections to systemic and potentially fatal diseases. Many fungi are also able to cause lesions when abnormal patient susceptibility exists or after traumatic colonization of the fungus (for a comprehensive review on Medical Mycology, see Kwon-Chung and Bennet, [1]). Fungi that infect immunocompromised patients are referred to as opportunistic pathogens. The number of opportunistic fungi has recently increased due to the arrival of new and growing populations of immunocompromised hosts. In this special issue, we have attempted to compile a collection of new studies investigating the role of some virulence traits and their molecular mechanisms of action in the pathogenic outcome of fungal infections.