We then used multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) to validate CD4<sup>+</sup> T cell exhaustion in CBM patient lesions and the mouse model of <i>Fonsecaea pedrosoi</i> infection.<h4>Results</h4>We identified a significantly expanded population of exhausted CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells within the patient's lesions, which exhibited high co-expression of inhibitory receptors (PD-1, TIM-3, LAG-3) and functional impairment. Here, HAVCR2 is linked to infection.