Steps taken to prioritize Research on Fungal Infections

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a MycoNet program to track antifungal drug resistance in major fungal pathogens. The program, established in 2020, aims to map fungal infections across India and assess their impact on mortality and morbidity. Eight Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centers (AMDRCs) have been developed, strategically located across different zones in India. The ICMR has identified priority pathogens responsible for critical infectious syndromes in India, resulting in a comprehensive list of pathogens that require focused research and intervention. The Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network (AMRSN) is being established to collect data on antifungal resistance, enabling effective strategies to combat fungal infections. The Department of Biotechnology has also supported research projects focused on fungal infections, particularly candidiasis. The MycoNet program is actively monitoring antifungal drug resistance, collecting critical data on key fungal pathogens like Candida, Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis, and Aspergillus. The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has integrated antimicrobial resistance surveillance into the National AMR surveillance network (NARS-Net).