“…This issue is complex, because antibodies against Candida may exert their protection by a variety of different actions. Classical mechanisms of antibody action against infectious diseases in general include direct effects, such as toxin and viral neutralization, and indirect effects mediated by effector cells, such as enhancement of phagocytosis by opsonization and complement fixation and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (9). Recently, additional mechanisms of antibody-mediated immunity against fungi have been revealed, including the inhibition of adherence (17,19,51), growth inhibition (17,19), the inhibition of germination (5,50,51), and direct antifungal effects (50).…”