WHO releases first reports on shortages in fungal disease treatments and diagnostics

Use of antifungals in agriculture may increase resistance in an infectious yeast, study suggests

Genomic changes in the infectious yeast Candida tropicalis may play a role in its resistance to antifungals, according to a new study. These genomic changes can be brought on by a common antifungal, TBZ. The study demonstrates that the use of TBZ in agriculture may contribute to the increasing problem of antifungal resistance.

Nearly one-third of fungi on IUCN Red List are threatened with extinction

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) recently updated its Red List of Threatened Species to include an additional 482 fungi, bringing the total to roughly 1,300 species of mushrooms, puffballs and other fungi. More than 400 of the species assessed are at risk of extinction, primarily threatened by agricultural expansion, deforestation and climate change, according to the IUCN’s latest update. Some 279 fungi species face exti…

WHO releases first reports on shortages in fungal disease treatments and diagnostics

The World Health Organization (WHO) today published its first-ever reports addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, showing the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to close these gaps.

In the last decade, only four new drugs have been approved; in the next, only three are expected; current diagnoses do not meet the reality of all countries; the deadliest fungal pathogens have a lethality of up to 88%.

The alert is contained in two WHO reports that conclude that “doctors still face significant challenges”. Invasive diseases include meningoencephalitis and pulmonary cryptococcosis, among others.

Africa: WHO Issues Its First-Ever Reports On Tests and Treatments For Fungal Infections

Press Release - The World Health Organization (WHO) today published its first-ever reports addressing the critical lack of medicines and diagnostic tools for invasive fungal diseases, showing the urgent need for innovative research and development (R&D) to close these gaps.