Responses of White Blood Cells to Killed Candida albicans as a Preventive Strategy

C. albicans is by far the most common Candida species causing infection in humans which include superficial and a life- threatening systemic infections. Despite the public health significance of candida infections, phenotypic switching of C. albicans, slow mycological diagnosis, limitation of use of antifungal agents due to toxicity, high cost and emergence of resistance have impeded effective treatment. Therefore, a need for safe and potent strategy to prevent this disease is necessary. This chapter discusses the roles of white blood cells as the first line defense mechanism against inactivated C. albicans.