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Published on: March 19, 2019
Tropical fungal infections
Li Yang Hsu1, Limin Wijaya, Esther Shu-Ting Ng
1Department of Medicine, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore. liyang_hsu@yahoo.com
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|May 29, 2012
Summary
Tropical fungal infections, including superficial, cutaneous, and subcutaneous mycoses, are increasingly diagnosed in travelers. Enhanced surveillance is needed to understand these fungal diseases in global populations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Tropical Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Fungal infections exhibit greater diversity and prevalence in tropical regions.
- International travel facilitates the spread of fungal diseases beyond endemic areas.
- Returning travelers and migrants are increasingly presenting with fungal infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of superficial, cutaneous, and subcutaneous mycoses prevalent in the tropics.
- To discuss fungal infections observed in returning travelers.
- To highlight the need for enhanced surveillance of travel-associated fungal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing data on tropical mycoses.
- Analysis of fungal infection patterns in travelers.
- Discussion of epidemiological aspects and diagnostic challenges.
Main Results:
- Superficial, cutaneous, and subcutaneous mycoses are geographically restricted or more common in the tropics.
- Fungal infections are an emerging concern among international travelers.
- Systematic data on travel-associated fungal infections are currently limited.
Conclusions:
- Tropical mycoses require specific attention due to their prevalence and potential for global spread via travel.
- Improved surveillance is crucial for early diagnosis and understanding the epidemiology of fungal infections in travelers.
- Further research is needed to address the growing burden of fungal diseases in mobile populations.
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