Filamentous fungi Aspergillus and Fusarium species are major causes of visual impairment and blindness in immune competent individuals. Once conidia penetrate the corneal epithelium and enter the stroma, they undergo germination, and exposure of cell wall components induces a pronounced neutrophil-rich cellular infiltrate. In this review, we discuss Aspergillus and novel Fusarium virulence factors that are required for corneal infection, and describe the multiple functions of neutrophils in limiting hyphal growth in the cornea. This review will also discuss the role of neutrophils as an important source of cytokines in fungal keratitis, and highlight recent studies identifying unique characteristics of neutrophil secretion of IL-1α and IL-1β.

丝状真菌曲霉属和镰刀菌属是免疫能力强的个体视力障碍和失明的主要原因。一旦分生孢子穿透角膜上皮并进入基质，它们就会发芽，并且细胞壁成分的暴露诱导明显的富含中性粒细胞的细胞浸润。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了角膜感染所需的曲霉属和新型镰刀菌毒力因子，并描述了中性粒细胞在限制角膜菌丝生长方面的多种功能。本综述还将讨论中性粒细胞作为真菌性角膜炎中细胞因子的重要来源的作用，并重点介绍最近确定中性粒细胞分泌 IL-1α 和 IL-1β 独特特征的研究。