Advances in the treatment of invasive fungal disease

With over 300 million severe cases and 1.5 million deaths annually, invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) are a major medical burden and source of global morbidity and mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released the first-ever fungal priority pathogens list including 19 fungal pathogens, considering the perceived public health importance. Most of the pathogenic fungi are opportunistic and cause diseases in patients under immunocompromised conditions such as HIV infection, cancer, chemotherapy, transplantation, and immune suppressive drug therapy. Worryingly, the morbidity and mortality caused by IFDs are continuously on the rise due to the limited available antifungal therapies, the emergence of drug resistance, and the increase of population that is vulnerable to IFDs. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened IFDs as a globe health threat as it predisposes the patients to secondary life-threatening fungi. In this mini-review, we provide a perspective on the advances and strategies for combating IFDs with antifungal therapies.

Automated summary

Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) cause over 300 million severe cases and 1.5 million deaths annually, posing a significant burden on global health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 19 fungal pathogens as priority organisms due to their public health importance. Most IFDs occur in immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV infection, cancer, chemotherapy, transplantation, and immune suppressive therapy. However, the limited antifungal therapies, drug resistance, and increasing vulnerable population contribute to the rising morbidity and mortality of IFDs. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the IFD threat by increasing susceptibility to secondary life-threatening fungi. This mini-review discusses advancements and strategies in antifungal therapy for combating IFDs.