Exploring Host Immunity and Virulence in Mucorales

Fungal spores, ubiquitous in the environment, are significant allergens and pathogens. Mucormycosis is a severe infection primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals, such as those with uncontrolled diabetes, bone marrow or organ transplants, corticosteroid treatment, hematological cancers, or traumatic injuries and COVID-19 patients, highlighting the urgent need to understand its pathogenesis. Mucorales fungi are known to be innately resistant to common antifungals such as azoles and Amp-B, making the treatment difficult and challenging to diagnose. The interaction between Mucorales and host immune responses—spanning innate and adaptive immunity—plays a crucial role in disease progression. Iron availability and the dimorphic nature of fungi also influence virulence. Recent research has focused on the role of iron uptake mechanisms and the calcineurin pathway in fungal pathogenicity. This comprehensive review underscores the complex interplay between Mucorales, host immune defenses, and emerging therapeutic targets to combat mucormycosis effectively.