Silent Pandemic: Fungal Infection Crisis

Scientists are warning about the rising fungal infection crisis, describing it as a silent pandemic. Fungal infections are evolving and becoming resistant to antifungal medications, exacerbating the issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 6.5 million people are affected by fungal infections each year, leading to 3.8 million deaths.

Molecular biologist Norman van Rhijn highlighted that fungal infections and antifungal resistance are often overlooked in global health discussions. He stated, “The threat of fungal pathogens and antifungal resistance, although a growing global issue, is left out of the debate.”

In September, the United Nations will host a meeting in New York City focusing on antimicrobial resistance. This meeting will address resistant bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.

Van Rhijn and his colleagues are urging governments, researchers, and the pharmaceutical industry to expand their focus beyond just bacteria. Currently, fungal diseases like Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida have become serious threats.

Individuals with weakened immune systems and older adults are at the highest risk for these infections. The WHO has already listed these and other fungal pathogens as top priorities for global health.

Van Rhijn remarked, “Most agree that resistant bacterial infections constitute a significant part of the AMR (antimicrobial resistance) problem. However, many drug resistance issues over the past decades have also stemmed from invasive fungal diseases largely unrecognized by scientists, governments, and pharmaceutical companies.”

Fungi are particularly challenging to treat because their structure resembles that of human cells, making it difficult to develop drugs that target fungi without harming human cells. Currently, there are only four classes of antifungal drugs available, and resistance to these is increasing.

Van Rhijn’s team is concerned that agricultural practices may be contributing to the problem. Fungicides used in farming can cause cross-resistance in fungi that affect humans. They suggest that a balance is needed between crop protection and treating fungal infections.

The upcoming UN meeting is seen as a critical moment for initiating a global approach to combatting antimicrobial resistance, with fungi included in the efforts. The researchers concluded, “No microbe should be left behind.”

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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