Ploidy plasticity drives fungal resistance to azoles used in agriculture and clinics

The fungal kingdom, which includes various species, has been largely overlooked in healthcare and economic sectors. However, anthropogenic activities, such as high doses of antifungals in poultry and fungicides in agricultural farmlands, and global warming, are contributing to an increase in drug resistance and the emergence of new pathogens. A recent study in PLOS Biology by Hu and colleagues provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the acquired resistance in Candida tropicalis, an opportunistic fungal pathogen. Candida tropicalis, a major pathogen in tropical regions, causes superficial and invasive infections, with a mortality rate of 55%-60%. The study uses experimental evolution to study the emergence of antifungal drug resistance, revealing that azole-resistant strains may emerge in environmental niches.