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Strengthening Fungal Infection Diagnosis and Treatment: An In-depth Analysis of Capabilities in Honduras

Summary

This study examined how well healthcare facilities in Honduras can diagnose and treat serious fungal infections. Researchers surveyed laboratories and hospitals to find out what diagnostic tools and antifungal medications were available. The findings showed that while basic tests like microscopy were common, advanced techniques were rare, and many important antifungal drugs were difficult to access. The study recommends improving training, building better laboratories, and making essential medications more available.

Background

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries due to limited diagnostic and treatment resources. Honduras faces unique healthcare challenges with significant disparities in access to diagnostic capabilities and antifungal therapies. Despite the significant global burden of IFIs, they remain underrecognized and underdiagnosed in resource-limited settings.

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic capacities for managing invasive fungal infections across healthcare centers in Honduras. The study aimed to identify gaps and limitations in current practices for fungal disease diagnosis and treatment.

Results

Candida spp (97.4%) and Aspergillus spp (35.9%) were identified as the most concerning pathogens. While microscopy and culture methods were available in most institutions, their application in suspected IFI cases was inconsistent. Advanced diagnostic techniques such as antigen detection were limited, and molecular testing and antibody detection were entirely absent. All hospitals had access to fluconazole, but potent antifungals including amphotericin B formulations and echinocandins were scarce.

Conclusion

The study reveals significant gaps in diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for IFI management in Honduras. Urgent need exists for capacity-building initiatives, infrastructure improvements, policy reforms, and establishment of national reference laboratories. These findings have broader implications for similar low- and middle-income countries and can guide targeted interventions and resource allocation.
  • Published in:Open Forum Infectious Diseases,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional Survey,
  • Source: 10.1093/ofid/ofae578, PMID: 39421702
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