Lagatar24 Desk
Manchester, UK: Scientists are raising alarms about a growing “silent pandemic” as fungal infections evolve and become increasingly resistant to current treatments. According to molecular biologist Norman van Rhijn from the University of Manchester, fungal pathogens and their resistance to antifungal medicines are being overlooked in global health discussions, posing a severe threat to millions of lives. Van Rhijn warns that without immediate action, these deadly infections could become even more dangerous.
The numbers are already staggering: fungal infections affect 6.5 million people annually and claim around 3.8 million lives worldwide, according to Science Alert. Researchers are urging governments, research institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry to expand their focus beyond bacterial resistance and address the escalating issue of antifungal resistance.
“The disproportionate focus on bacteria is concerning because many drug resistance problems over the past decades were the result of invasive fungal diseases,” said van Rhijn and his international team of scientists from institutions in China, India, the UK, and other countries. Fungal infections, such as Aspergillus fumigatus (which attacks the lungs) and Candida (which causes yeast infections), are particularly dangerous, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
Growing Antifungal Resistance
Unlike bacteria and viruses, fungi are complex organisms, making it difficult to develop treatments that kill fungal cells without harming the body’s other vital cells. Currently, only four classes of antifungal drugs are available, and resistance to these treatments is growing at an alarming rate.
“Invasive fungal infections are increasingly resistant to the available classes of antifungal drugs,” the researchers noted. This poses a grave challenge for treating infections, particularly for immunocompromised individuals and older adults who are most vulnerable.
Agriculture and Cross-Resistance
Another concern is the role of agricultural practices in exacerbating the problem. Fungicides used in farming can lead to cross-resistance in fungi that also infect humans, adding to the global health crisis. The team emphasized the need for a balanced approach to protecting crops and treating fungal infections in humans.
“Antifungal protection is crucial for food security, but the question remains: how do we balance food security with the ability to treat resistant fungal pathogens?” the researchers asked.
They called for a global agreement to limit the use of certain antifungal drugs and for collaborative efforts to regulate agricultural and medical use to prevent further resistance.
