Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Interactions with and Membrane Permeabilization of Brain Mitochondria by Amyloid Fibrils
Published on: September 28, 2019
Burden of fungal infections in Iran
Mohammad T Hedayati1, Mojtaba Taghizadeh Armaki2, Jamshid Yazdani Charati3
1Invasive Fungi Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. hedayatimt@gmail.com.
Introduction:
The number of fungal infections occurring each year in Iran is not known. As the burden of fungal disease is a measure used to assess and compare the relative impact of different type of fungal diseases on populations, we have estimated the burden of fungal diseases in Iran.
Methodology:
We estimated the burden of human fungal diseases based on the specific populations at risk, existing epidemiological data in both local and international databases, and modelling previously described by the LIFE program (http://www.LIFE-worldwide.org).
Results:
Among the population of Iran (79,926,270 in 2016), 6,670,813 (8.3%) individuals are estimated to suffer from a fungal infection each year. A total of 2,791,568 women aged between 15 and 50 years are estimated to suffer from recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis, annually. In addition, considering the 13.3% prevalence rate of tinea capitis in children, a total of 2,552,624 cases per year are estimated. The estimated burden of invasive aspergillosis in the 3 groups of patients with hematologic malignancy, lung cancer and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease was 6394 (8.0 per 100,000). The estimate for the burden of allergic disease related to fungi including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, severe asthma with fungal sensitization and allergic fungal rhinosinusitis was 272,095 (340 per 100,000). Based on the 28,663 cases of HIV infection reported, an estimated 900 and 113 cases with pneumocystosis and cryptococcal meningitis are annually anticipated, respectively.
Conclusion:
Our estimates indicate that the importance of fungal infections is high but overlooked in Iran, which warrants further actions by health care authorities.
Insights
Fungal infections affect over 8% of Iran's population annually, with significant burdens from vulvovaginal candidiasis and tinea capitis. These high-impact fungal diseases require greater attention from healthcare authorities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Fungal infections pose a significant global health challenge.
- Estimating the burden of fungal diseases is crucial for resource allocation and public health interventions.
- Data on the prevalence and impact of fungal infections in Iran were previously lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the annual burden of human fungal diseases in Iran.
- To identify the most prevalent fungal infections and at-risk populations within Iran.
- To provide data supporting public health policy and clinical management of fungal infections in Iran.
Main Methods:
- Utilized epidemiological data from local and international databases.
- Applied population-specific risk factors and established modeling techniques (LIFE program).
- Calculated estimated annual cases for various fungal infections based on Iran's 2016 population.
Main Results:
- An estimated 8.3% (6,670,813 individuals) of Iran's population experiences fungal infections annually.
- High burdens were found for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (2,791,568 cases) and tinea capitis (2,552,624 cases).
- Invasive aspergillosis, allergic fungal diseases, pneumocystosis, and cryptococcal meningitis also represent significant health concerns.
Conclusions:
- Fungal infections represent a substantial and underestimated public health issue in Iran.
- The findings highlight the need for increased awareness and targeted interventions by healthcare authorities.
- Further research and public health strategies are warranted to address the burden of fungal diseases in Iran.
