Hyphal Growth in Human Fungal Pathogens and Its Role in Virulence

Figure 1

In vivo growth of filamentous fungal pathogens. (a) Hyphae of Malassezia globosa translocate deeper within the keratinised epidermal layer where they establish new colonies and revert to growth as yeast [13]. (b) Dermatophyte hyphae follow the keratinised layers that run parallel to the nail surface [14]. (c) Hyphae of Candida albicans growing in a multidirectional manner within the nail, often forming helical twists [14]. (d) Histological section of aspergilloma in the lung showing the tightly packed Aspergillus fumigatus hyphae surrounded by a matrix material and with no immune-cell infiltrate [15]. (e) Production of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) against A. fumigatus hyphae where, unlike the safe haven of a fungus-derived biofilm matrix, hyphae are instead imprisoned in a host-derived matrix of neutrophil DNA and calprotectin, a protein which chelates the divalent cations that are required for fungal growth [16, 17].