Human pathogenic fungi have emerged as significant causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency conditions. These include patients with HIV/AIDS and those who have received myeloablative chemotherapy and targeted immunosuppressive therapies for autoimmune disorders, neoplastic diseases, and hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplantation. In recent years, the multidrug resistant fungal pathogen Candida auris has caused life-threatening outbreaks in healthcare facilities worldwide, raising serious concerns for global public health.

However, many recent scientific advances are revealing fungal virulence factors and immune susceptibilities that provide insight into how to combat these troublesome pathogens.   A recent explosion in the discovery and characterization of novel monogenic inborn errors of immunity that predispose patients to fungal disease have enhanced our understanding of how the immune system normally recognizes and eliminates these pathogens.  Along with the development of clinically relevant animal models of disease, both mucocutaneous and/or invasive tissues-specific forms, these advances have collectively pointed to cell type-, tissue-, and fungus-specific recognition, effector pathways, and adaptive immune responses. The improved molecular understanding of fungal virulence traits and immune protective mechanisms will guide the development of targeted treatment strategies against fungal pathogens.

This meeting will unite scientists studying fungal virulence and fungal immunology across numerous organisms to integrate emerging research on the cellular and molecular determinants of fungal pathogenesis and mammalian antifungal immunity. This cross-disciplinary approach will provide the foundation for precision risk stratification, as well as prophylactic, therapeutic and vaccination strategies to combat life-threatening fungal infections in vulnerable patient populations.