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Healthcare-associated fungal infections and emerging pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic

Summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections became a major health concern, especially in hospitalized patients. Treatments for COVID-19, such as steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, weakened patients’ immune systems, making them vulnerable to serious fungal infections like those caused by Candida auris. Current antifungal medications have significant side effects and many fungi are developing resistance, so scientists are urgently seeking safer and more effective antifungal treatments.

Background

Fungi are increasingly recognized as significant human pathogens, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Over 150 million people suffer from severe fungal infections leading to more than one million deaths annually. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated fungal infections in hospitalized patients due to immunosuppressive treatments and hospital environmental factors.

Objective

This review summarizes the effect of hospital environments, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, on fungal infections and emerging pathogens. It provides insights into various antifungal drugs, their challenges, and the need for novel antifungal agents with improved efficacy and safety profiles.

Results

The review identifies key fungal pathogens including Candida auris, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Mucor species as major concerns during COVID-19. Fungal coinfections increased significantly in COVID-19 ICU patients, ranging from 0.55% to 49.7% across continents. Current antifungal classes have limitations including resistance, toxicity, and poor bioavailability.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has created conditions increasing fungal infection risk, particularly in hospitalized and ICU patients. Novel antifungal targets such as chitin synthase, glutamate dehydrogenase, and fungal cell membrane components offer promising avenues for developing more effective and safer antifungal agents with reduced adverse effects.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 38465254
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