Editorial: Fungal virulence

Author: mycolabadmin
1/3/2025
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Summary

Fungal infections are becoming more dangerous and common worldwide, especially as climate change warms the planet. Scientists are studying how fungi develop the ability to cause disease, focusing on features like their stickiness to human tissues and ability to form protective biofilms. Recent research shows that specific proteins and growth conditions affect how dangerous different fungi are and how our immune system responds to them. Understanding these mechanisms could help doctors develop better treatments and vaccines against fungal infections.

Background

Fungi are critical components of terrestrial ecosystems but rising prevalence of fungal pathogens poses significant risks to human, veterinary, and agricultural health. The World Health Organization reports that invasive fungal diseases affect millions globally with mortality rates exceeding 50% in some cases. Understanding virulence factors and thermotolerance is essential as climate change may enable previously non-pathogenic fungi to adapt and infect humans and animals.

Objective

This editorial reviews recent findings on fungal pathogenesis from the Fungal Virulence Research Topic, focusing on regulatory mechanisms of virulence in fungal pathogens. The goal is to examine fungi’s adaptive strategies in response to environmental changes to inform clinical practices and public health initiatives.

Results

Studies demonstrated that Mss11 transcription factor regulates adhesin genes and virulence in C. glabrata, growth medium conditions affect C. neoformans cell wall composition and immune response, environmental factors correlate with M. phaseolina pathogenicity, and GPI-anchored proteins show immunogenic potential as diagnostic markers for paracoccidioidomycosis.

Conclusion

Fungal pathogens demonstrate significant adaptability and complexity in response to environmental changes with major implications for public health and agriculture. Interdisciplinary approaches integrating environmental science, clinical microbiology, and agricultural practices are vital for managing fungal infection threats, with emphasis on surveillance and development of novel therapeutic measures.

Published in:Frontiers in Fungal Biology,
Study Type:Editorial Review,
Source: 10.3389/ffunb.2024.1530202; PMID: 39831297