Opportunistic fungal infections are caused by a constantly evolving group of pathogens that affect a growing number of vulnerable patients, such as intensive care patients, solid organ transplant recipients, and individuals with acquired immunodeficiency conditions. Knowledge and understanding of the virulence attributes that these opportunistic pathogens use to promote pathogenicity or counteract human immune responses may help provide strategies to prevent and control infection. We are particularly interested in articles addressing the interaction between the fungus and the host cell through in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies and how the host protects itself from infection. Furthermore, new insights into the development of novel strategies to control fungal infection are also required, in order to provide alternative tools, especially for the treatment of those fungal species rapidly developing resistance to the commonly administered antifungal drugs.

We invite investigators to submit original and review articles exploring these multifactorial aspects of host-fungal interactions and the newer strategies to control fungal infections. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Host-fungal interactions
• Fungal virulence factors, biofilm formation, and pathogenesis
• Fungal communication and virulence
• Host responses to fungal infection: innate and adaptive immunity
• Experimental models assessing fungal virulence and survival
• Antifungal resistance and new strategies to control fungal infections