Addressing Microbial Resistance Worldwide: Challenges over Controlling Life-Threatening Fungal Infections

Abstract

Fungal infections are a serious global concern because of their ability to spread and colonize host tissues in immunocompromised individuals. Such infections have been frequently reported worldwide and are currently gaining clinical research relevance owing to their resistant character, representing a bottleneck in treating affected people. Resistant fungi are an emergent public health threat. The upsurge of such pathogens has led to new research toward unraveling the destructive potential evoked by these species. Some fungi-grouped into Candida, Aspergillus, and Cryptococcus-are causative agents of severe and systemic infections. They are associated with high mortality rates and have recently been described as sources of coinfection in COVID-hospitalized patients. Despite the efforts to elucidate the challenges of colonization, dissemination, and infection severity, the immunopathogenesis of fungal diseases remains a pivotal characteristic in fungal burden elimination. The struggle between the host immune system and the physiological strategies of the fungi to maintain cellular viability is complex. In this brief review, we highlight the relevance of drug resistance phenotypes in fungi of clinical significance, taking into consideration their physiopathology and how the scientific community could orchestrate their efforts to avoid fungal infection dissemination and deaths.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; aspergillosis; candidiasis; cryptococcosis; fungal infections.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of the contagious and development of fungal diseases in humans. Aspergillosis, candidiasis, and cryptococcosis threaten health systems worldwide due to their resistant character. Previous conditions may be associated with these diseases, which makes them harder to treat. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), cancer, and long-term ICU patients are more likely to develop critical clinical conditions. SARS-CoV-2-associated infections are being reported worldwide. Therefore, perspectives comprising vaccines and searching for new drug therapies to treat fungal diseases are expected. Created with BioRender.com.