Threat of a 'silent pandemic': Fungal infections could be the next health crisis, scientists warn

Fungal infections are evolving and becoming increasingly resistant to drugs, leading to what researchers are now calling a “silent epidemic.” Molecular biologist Norman van Rijn of the University of Manchester, UK, warns that this urgent issue is being overlooked in global health discussions. According to van Rijn, fungal pathogens and their increasing resistance to antifungal drugs have not yet received the necessary attention. If this trend continues unchecked, some fungal infections – already affecting 6.5 million people and causing 3.8 million deaths annually – could become even more deadly, as reported by Science Alert.

Van Rijn, along with an international team of researchers, is urging governments, research institutions and pharmaceutical companies to expand their focus beyond just bacteria. According to Science Alert, the scientists emphasize that fungal infections are often left out of global antimicrobial resistance initiatives. Without urgent action, these infections could pose an even greater threat in the near future.

“The disproportionate focus on bacteria is worrying, as many drug resistance problems in past decades were the result of invasive fungal diseases that have been largely underrecognized by the community and governments,” said van Rijn and his colleagues from institutions in China, the Netherlands, Austria, Australia, Spain, Britain, Brazil, the United States, India, Turkey and Uganda, according to Science Alert.

Fungal diseases such as Aspergillus fumigatus, which affects the lungs, and Candida, which is known for causing yeast infections, are considered the most dangerous. Individuals with weakened immune systems and older people are particularly susceptible, according to Science Alert.

Unlike bacteria and viruses, fungi are more complex organisms, making the development of effective treatments more challenging. Fungi share many biological features with human cells, so developing antifungal drugs that kill fungal cells without harming human cells is both expensive and complex. Currently, only four classes of antifungal drugs exist, and resistance to these is on the rise, according to the research team.

“For treating deep or invasive fungal infections, only four systemic antifungal classes are available, and resistance to currently available classes is now the rule rather than the exception,” the scientists reported. The research team also raised concerns that certain agricultural practices are contributing to this problem. The use of fungicides in farming can lead to cross-resistance, making fungi that affect humans more resilient to treatments. The researchers emphasized the need for a balance between protecting crops and treating fungal infections. The team recommended a global agreement to restrict certain antifungal drugs to specific uses. They also call for collaborative regulations that balance the need for food safety with the growing challenge of drug-resistant fungal pathogens.