Invasive Candidiasis: Update and Current Challenges in the Management of This Mycosis in South America.

Invasive candidiasis encompassing bloodstream infections and deep-seated candidiasis can become a persistent health problem. These infections are caused by species and have high morbidity and mortality rates. Species distribution, access to diagnosis, treatment and mortality are different around the world.

[Invasive candidiasis: A view to central nervous system infection].

Candidemia is the most frequent invasive mycosis in hospitalized patients worldwide. Fungal infection in central nervous system is a life-threatening complication which aggravates patients' prognosis. This article summarizes relevant aspects on the clinical characteristics of this pathology, mechanisms of fungus invasion, local immune response to Candida albicans and the impact of genetic defects on innate immune receptors that increase susceptibility to the acquisition of this form of mycosis.

Contribution of TLR2 pathway in the pathogenesis of vulvovaginal candidiasis.

Candida albicans is the prevalent etiological agent in acute vulvovaginal infection and the most severe chronic condition known as recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). A critical role of local innate immunity in defense and pathogenesis of vaginal infection by Candida is proposed. The fungal recognition by the innate immune receptor is an essential step for the induction of local responses including cytokines and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) production for host protection.

[Vulvovaginal candidiasis: An old disease with new challenges].

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is an old disease that, even in a modern world, continues to have a high incidence. Despite the therapeutic advances, treatments are not always effective, and our understanding of the pathogenesis of this fungal infection is still incomplete. A discussion is presented in this article on the most significant developments related to the fungal virulence factors, the role of the immunological mechanisms involved in the vaginal protection, and the genetic alterations that confer susceptibility to the recurrent form of this mycosis.