FIG 5.

Summary diagram. In immunocompetent wild-type (WT) fish, neutrophils are rapidly recruited to the site of infection, extracellular DNA is present, and hyphal filaments are damaged by 24 hpi, leading to control of the infection. No mortality occurs within the first 3 days postinfection, and disease progression is slow. In immunocompromised animals or if hypervirulent C. albicans is injected (bottom arrow), neutrophils are not able to control the infection and filaments breach the epithelial barrier and invade the surrounding tissues. This leads to rapid mortality. Conversely, if extra neutrophils are recruited to the site of infection shortly after infection (top arrow), the infection is contained more efficiently.