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Serious fungal infections in Pakistan

K Jabeen1, J Farooqi2, S Mirza3

  • 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. kausar.jabeen@aku.edu.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|February 6, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Serious fungal infections affect over 3.2 million people in Pakistan, highlighting a significant public health concern. High rates of candidaemia, mucormycosis, and fungal keratitis are noted, underscoring the need for greater awareness and intervention for fungal diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health Epidemiology

Background:

  • The true burden of fungal infections in Pakistan remains largely unknown.
  • Pakistan has numerous high-risk populations, including those with tuberculosis (TB), diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, and HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the burden of serious fungal infections in Pakistan.
  • To underscore the public health significance of fungal diseases in the region.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized population and at-risk group data from WHO, BREATHE study, UNAIDS, GLOBOCAN, and Heartfile.
  • Reviewed published data from Pakistan on fungal infection rates in general and specific populations.
  • Applied the LIFE methodology for population-based and at-risk estimations.

Main Results:

  • An estimated 3,280,549 (1.78%) of Pakistan's population are affected by serious fungal infections (excluding cutaneous, oral candidiasis, and allergic fungal sinusitis).
  • Rates of candidaemia (21/100,000) and mucormycosis (14/100,000) are estimated to be very high, comparable to data from India.
  • Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (39/100,000) and fungal keratitis (44/100,000) rates are also estimated to be high, with invasive aspergillosis at 5.9/100,000.

Conclusions:

  • Pakistan likely experiences a high incidence of life- or sight-threatening fungal infections.
  • The findings highlight the substantial public health impact and burden of fungal diseases in Pakistan.
  • Further research is needed to fully ascertain the scope of fungal infections, including less severe forms.

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