Antifungal resistance is growing - will new treatments turn the tables?

"The main treatment is with drugs called azoles, resistance to which is a growing problem. In Dutch hospitals, for example, azole resistance in A. fumigatus samples obtained from patients increased from 8% in 2013 to 15% in 2018. It has also been found in 14% of A. fumigatus samples taken from soil in UK gardens,"

Fungi are often called the hidden kingdom because many species live mainly underground, and only about 5% of fungal species have been discovered. Human fungal infections have received less research attention than bacterial infections, even though antifungal resistance in clinical settings is deteriorating. Common fungal infections like thrush and athlete’s foot usually cause discomfort and are often repelled by healthy immune systems. People with weakened immune defenses, including those with chronic lung disease, HIV, or those taking immunosuppressive drugs, can face serious outcomes. Fungal infections cause over 2.5 million deaths annually and contribute to additional deaths worldwide, with Aspergillus fumigatus responsible for most fatalities. Treatment relies heavily on azole drugs, and resistance is rising in hospitals and has also been detected in environmental samples such as soil.

Read at Nature