Sensing the heat and the host: Virulence determinants of Histoplasma capsulatum

ABSTRACT

Histoplasma capsulatum is a member of a group of fungal pathogens called thermally dimorphic fungi, all of which respond to mammalian body temperature by converting from an environmental mold form into a parasitic host form that causes disease. Histoplasma is a primary fungal pathogen, meaning it is able to cause disease in healthy individuals. We are beginning to understand how host temperature is utilized as a key signal to facilitate growth in the parasitic yeast form and promote production of virulence factors. In recent years, multiple regulators of morphology and virulence have been identified in Histoplasma. Mutations in these regulators render the pathogen unable to convert to the parasitic yeast form. Additionally, several virulence factors have been characterized for their importance in in vivo survival and pathogenesis. These virulence factors and regulators can serve as molecular handles for the development of effective drugs and therapeutics to counter Histoplasma infection.

KEYWORDS:

• Histoplasma capsulatum
• dimorphic fungi
• fungal morphology
• fungal pathogenesis
• virulence
• Ryp factors

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [R01AI136735, R01AI137418, R00AI112691, 5R01AI066224].