Eosinophils in fungal diseases: An overview.

Eosinophils are the prominent cells in asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPMs), and fungal-sensitization-associated asthma, but their roles in the immunopathology of these disorders are not well understood. Moreover, the immunological mechanisms underlying the molecular direct effector interactions between fungi and eosinophils are rare and not fully known. Here, we provide an overview of eosinophil contributions to allergic asthma and ABPMs. We also revise the major general mechanisms of fungal recognition by eosinophils and consider past and recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with eosinophil innate effector responses to different fungal species relevant to ABPMs (Alternaria alternata, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus). We further examine and speculate about the therapeutic relevance of these findings in fungus-associated allergic pulmonary diseases.