Can fungal infections turn out to be a reason for a pandemic shortly? While treatments, including antifungal medication, are available, the numbers have certainly been alarming. A latest Lancet study has now urged to pay close attention to fungal infections, which can very well emerge as a ‘silent pandemic’. The study, which came out ahead of the United Nations’ second high-level meeting on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), stated that it is required to examine “beyond the narrow bacterial focus by including resistance in the priority fungal pathogens.”
The study claimed that in 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had come up with the Fungal Priority Pathogen List (FPPL) to underline the vital need to recognise and battle the outcome of fungal diseases that impact 6·5 million people annually and account for an around 3·8 million mortalities.
“The disproportionate focus on bacteria is concerning because many drug resistance problems over the past decades were the result of invasive fungal diseases, largely under-recognised by the community and governments alike,” read the September 2024 paper.
The study went on to add that, “diagnosing fungal infections is often delayed or difficult, which increases inappropriate use of antimicrobial treatment and the risk of resistance emergence in vivo.”
Dr Ravi Shekher Jha, director of pulmonology, MD, MRCP Fortis Hospital, Faridabad, recently opened up on this burning issue. As per The Indian Express, he labelled the rise in fungal infections as “a major public health crisis.” He went on to say that “many people aren’t aware of the severity of the issue.” Dr Jha added, “Yet, the impact is serious, especially in vulnerable populations.”
Talking about this topic, Dr Vaishali Sharma, laparoscopic surgeon and IVF specialist, AIIMS, said, as per The Indian Express, “Its incidence is rising recently, but don’t confuse it with common vaginal yeast (candida) infection. While common candidiasis causes white discharge and is easily treatable with antifungals, other fungal infections, such as Candida species, present challenges. Its symptoms may not be noticeable because patients are already sick and are in the hospital with another serious illness.”
The latest Lancet study acknowledged that prompt and effective handling of fungal infections and antifungal resistance is a composite issue. It was also stated that diagnosing fungal infections very often gets delayed or becomes difficult and it results in a rise in inappropriate use of antimicrobial treatment and the risk of resistance emergence in vivo.
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