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Clinical aspects and recent advances in fungal diseases impacting human health

Summary

Fungal infections are increasingly common health threats affecting over a billion people worldwide, ranging from minor allergies to serious life-threatening infections. The biggest problems are that fungi are becoming resistant to current medications, diagnosis can be difficult and slow, and treatment options are limited. Recent developments include new antifungal drugs like ibrexafungerp and rezafungin that work differently from older medications, offering hope for treating resistant infections. Better awareness among doctors and patients, faster diagnostic methods, and responsible use of antifungals are essential to combat this growing public health challenge.

Background

Fungal diseases affect more than a billion people globally, ranging from allergies to life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs). The burden of fungal infections is a growing public health problem exacerbated by emergence of new fungal pathogens, resistant strains, and resurgence of previously uncommon diseases. An estimated annual incidence of 6.5 million IFIs with approximately 2.5 million attributable deaths highlights the significant global burden.

Objective

This review explores key aspects of fungal diseases in humans and provides a comprehensive overview of clinical challenges, diagnostic difficulties, emerging resistant strains, and recent advances in antifungal treatment options to enhance management and prevention.

Results

The review identifies major challenges including limited public awareness, diagnostic difficulties, rise in azole-resistant Aspergillus and Candida species, limited antifungal treatment options, and increasing populations of immunocompromised patients. Recent FDA approvals include ibrexafungerp (2021), oteseconazole (2022), and rezafungin (2023), with olorofim and fosmanogepix under Phase 3 clinical evaluation.

Conclusion

Addressing fungal disease challenges requires a multi-faceted approach including increased awareness, improved diagnostic techniques, better surveillance, responsible antifungal use, and targeted interventions for high-risk populations. Development of new antifungals with novel mechanisms of action and broad-spectrum activity is urgent given increasing resistance and limited current treatment options.
  • Published in:Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40085539, DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaf004
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