Fungal diseases becoming increasingly resistant to treatment: World Health Organisation

.

Fungal diseases are increasingly becoming a public health concern, according to the World Health Organisation.

The global health agency recently stated that fungal diseases, including drug-resistant infections like Candida, are increasingly affecting immunocompromised patients, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, living with HIV, or receiving organ transplants.

World Health Organisation warned that the lack of effective treatments and limited diagnostic capabilities, especially in low- and middle-income countries is putting millions at risk.

"Invasive fungal infections threaten the lives of the most vulnerable, but countries lack the treatments needed to save lives," said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, World Health Organisation’s Assistant Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance.

The World Health Organisation’s Fungal Priority Pathogens List categorises certain fungi as 'critical priority' threats, with mortality rates as high as 88%. However, treatment development remains sluggish. Only four new antifungal drugs have been approved in the past decade, and just three candidates are in the final phase of clinical trials, making new approvals unlikely in the near future.

Existing antifungal treatments have significant drawbacks, including serious side effects, drug interactions, and the need for prolonged hospitalisation.