Antifungal resistance is not getting nearly as much attention as antibiotic resistance – yet the risks to global health are just as serious

Fungi, known for causing superficial infections, can cause systemic infections with serious health implications. Over 6.5 million people are infected yearly with a life-threatening fungal infection, leading to 3.8 million deaths. Fungi are essential for nitrogen and carbon recycling in the environment and can undergo sporulation, which is impaired in people with lung issues. Many fungal pathogens are resistant to current drugs or can rapidly acquire resistance during treatment or in their natural environment. The World Health Organization published a priority list of fungi posing a significant risk to human health in 2022. However, the inclusion of fungal infections in antimicrobial resistance policy debates is yet to be achieved. Combating drug-resistant fungal infections is a complex problem, with delayed diagnoses and limited testing options.