FUNGAL PATHOGENICITY

1.Virulence factors that promote fungal colonization: The ability to adhere, produce capsules to resist phagocytic engulfment, stimulates the production of a cytokine called GM-CSF, acquire iron from red blood cells, resistant to phagocytic destruction. 2. Virulence factors that damage the host: secrete enzymes to digest cells, secrete mycotoxins, Aflatoxins, produced by certain Aspergillus species, are especially carcinogenic