Pathogenic microbial amyloids: Their function and the host response.

Functional microbial amyloids are ubiquitous in nature and some contribute to the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Three pathogenic microbial amyloids are compared and their contribution to the disease process explained. The recent demonstration and visualization of fungal amyloid in human invasive candidiasis is discussed. Moreover, the binding of host serum amyloid P component to functional amyloid in invasive human disease is presented in light of its possible role of masking fungi from the host defenses.