AUTHOR=Singh Dhirendra Kumar , Tóth Renáta , Gácser Attila 

TITLE=Mechanisms of Pathogenic Candida Species to Evade the Host Complement Attack

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2020.00094

DOI=10.3389/fcimb.2020.00094

ISSN=2235-2988

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Candida</italic> species are common colonizers of the human skin, vagina, and the gut. As human commensals, <italic>Candida</italic> species do not cause any notable damage in healthy individuals; however, in certain conditions they can initiate a wide range of diseases such as chronic disseminated candidiasis, endocarditis, vaginitis, meningitis, and endophthalmitis. The incidence of <italic>Candida</italic> caused infections has increased worldwide, with mortality rates exceeding 70% in certain patient populations. <italic>C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis</italic>, and <italic>C. krusei</italic> are responsible for more than 90% of <italic>Candida</italic>-related infections. Interestingly, the host immune response against these closely related fungi varies. As part of the innate immune system, complement proteins play a crucial role in host defense, protecting the host by lysing pathogens or by increasing their phagocytosis by phagocytes through opsonization. This review summarizes interactions of host complement proteins with pathogenic <italic>Candida</italic> species, including <italic>C. albicans</italic> and non<italic>-albicans Candida</italic> species such as <italic>C. parapsilosis</italic>. We will also highlight the various ways of complement activation, describe the antifungal effects of complement cascades and explore the mechanisms adopted by members of pathogenic <italic>Candida</italic> species for evading complement attack.</p>