A list of more than a dozen fungi that pose a public health risk was released today by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The global health agency has identified 19 “priority pathogens” that grow and become resistant to treatments, including yeast and mold.
Fungal infections are responsible for approximately 1.7 million deaths and over 150 million serious infections worldwide each year.
But the infections – which spread in hospitals and can be deadly for immunocompromised people – have become increasingly common during the pandemic.
The pathogens prey on people with weakened immune systems, including those fighting COVID-19. Treatments for Covid, including steroids, can further weaken the body’s defenses against fungi.
The WHO publishes a similar list of the most dangerous bacteria and cites a general lack of investment in research into dangerous fungi as the reason for compiling the list of priority fungal pathogens.
Fungal pathogens remain a major public health threat, but too few resources are being spent on developing effective antifungal drugs, WHO says.
A historical lack of research on fungal pathogens has left gaps in knowledge about diagnostics and viable treatments.
The various fungi included in the list represent “priority pathogens” including yeasts and molds commonly found in the environment and in our own bodies.
dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Deputy Director-General for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), said: “Fungal infections are emerging from the shadow of the bacterial antimicrobial resistance pandemic, are rising and becoming more resistant to treatments and becoming a public health concern worldwide. ‘
The health agency advised governments to strengthen their systems to monitor dangerous mushrooms and respond to the 19 varieties included in the list.
“Countries are encouraged to take a phased approach, beginning with strengthening their laboratory and surveillance capacities for fungal diseases and ensuring equitable access to existing high-quality therapeutics and diagnostics worldwide,” said Dr. Haileyesus Getahun, WHO Director, AMR Global Coordination Department.
A constantly warming planet means fungi are constantly adapting to rising temperatures, making them better able to infect humans.
Global warming is changing the properties of the fungus, its environment and its host, increasing the likelihood that new fungal species will emerge.
Most people who suffer from a severe yeast infection are already seriously ill.
Infections from these dangerous opportunistic pathogens have exploded during the Covid pandemic.
The health authority divided the 19 types of fungus into three priority groups, which were ranked from high to low.
Fungal infections are responsible for approximately 1.7 million deaths each year and over 150 million serious infections are reported worldwide each year.
dr Neil Stone, adviser on infectious diseases and microbiology at University College London Hospitals, said: “Finally the threat of fungal infections has been addressed as a priority issue, which is long overdue.”
“Fungal infections have always been a threat, but have historically been grossly neglected when it comes to public awareness and funding for clinical research… As a result, the diagnosis and treatment of fungal diseases lags far behind those of bacterial diseases.”
Mushrooms that the WHO wants to warn about
‘Critical’ Priority:
1. Cryptococcus neoformans
2. Candida auris
3. Aspergillus fumigatus
4. Candida albicans
‘High priority:
1. Histoplasm
2. Eumycetoma
3. Mucoral
4. Candida tropicalis
5. Nacaseomyces
6. Candida parapsilose
‘Medium’ priority:
1. Scedosporium
2. Lomentospora prolificans
3. Coccidioids
4. Pichia kudriavzeveii
5. Cryptococcus gattii
6. Talaromyces marneffei
7. Pneumocystis jirovecii
8. Paracoccidioides
Four species of fungi were included in the critical priority group: Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Candida Auris.
Aspergillus produces spores that are airborne and can threaten the lung health of people with compromised immune systems.
Candida albicans is commonly found in the gut but can cause invasive infections in immunocompromised people. It can cause an asthma-like condition, pulmonary fibrosis, or a benign tumor.
Cryptococcus neoformans can cause deadly brain infections. Worldwide, it is a leading cause of disease in patients with HIV/AIDS, killing at least 180,000 people annually.
Candida Auris (C. Auris) growing on yeast leads to serious and sometimes fatal infections.
The mortality rate from C.Auris, which spreads rapidly in healthcare settings, can be as high as 60 percent.
Cases of infection in the US rose from 10 in 2015 to 700 in 2020, the CDC said.
There are only four categories of antifungal drugs and very few are in the development pipeline.
The scientific community welcomed the WHO report, calling it a positive step towards innovative new ways to treat treatment-resistant fungal infections.
Prof Jon Cohen, an infectious disease expert at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK, said: “While the problems associated with bacteria, particularly resistance to antibiotics, have become well known and of course viruses such as COVID have received a great deal of public attention, serious ones Fungal infections have received far less attention.”
He added: “They are less common than other types of infection but can cause extremely serious illness or death, and there are often far fewer treatment options.”