Expansion of such fungi can drive inflammation via secretion of virulence factors (e.g., candidalysin), activation of IL-17/IL-1β pathways, and disruption of epithelial integrity, creating a feed-forward loop of dysbiosis and inflammation, particularly in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Li et al, 2022b; Moyes et al, 2016). Here, IL17A is linked to inflammatory bowel disease.