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07:42
An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Published on: July 1, 2020
Hidden killers: human fungal infections
Gordon D Brown1, David W Denning, Neil A R Gow
1Aberdeen Fungal Group, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
Science Translational Medicine
|December 21, 2012
Summary
Fungal infections cause significant human illness and death, yet research and diagnostics lag. This review highlights the urgent need for better understanding and treatment of invasive fungal diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunocompromised Host Research
Background:
- Fungal infections represent a major global health burden, contributing significantly to human morbidity and mortality.
- The clinical impact of fungal diseases is often underestimated compared to other infectious agents.
- Research into the pathophysiology of human fungal infections is critically underdeveloped.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of fungi as significant human pathogens.
- To discuss the challenges in diagnosing and treating invasive fungal infections.
- To highlight the specific vulnerabilities of immunocompromised individuals to fungal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on fungal pathogenesis and clinical impact.
- Analysis of research gaps in diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for fungal infections.
- Synthesis of information on the unique challenges posed by invasive fungal diseases.
Main Results:
- Fungi are underappreciated yet potent human pathogens.
- Significant deficiencies exist in diagnostic tools, antifungal drugs, and vaccines.
- Invasive fungal infections pose a severe threat, particularly to immunocompromised populations.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need to increase research focus on fungal pathogens.
- Development of novel diagnostics, antifungals, and vaccines is critical.
- Improved strategies are required to combat invasive fungal infections in vulnerable patient groups.
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