Rapid Increase in the Incidence of Human Invasive Fungal Diseases Based on One Health Perspective

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Invasive fungal diseases (IFDs) incidence is increasing globally, posing a significant public health threat.
• Fungal research significantly lags behind bacterial research, limiting understanding of fungal pathogenesis.
• Fungi are ecologically vital but their role in human infections is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the multifaceted causes behind the rise in human IFDs.
• To explore contributing factors from environmental, plant, animal, soil, and human activity perspectives.
• To promote a One Health approach for better understanding and managing fungal diseases.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review analyzing factors contributing to IFDs.
• Examination of environmental changes and their impact on fungal prevalence.
• Assessment of host-related factors, including human activities and animal reservoirs.

Main Results:

• Identified key drivers of increased IFDs including environmental shifts, agricultural practices, and climate change.
• Highlighted the role of altered soil microbiomes and increased human-animal interactions.
• Noted the growing challenge of antifungal resistance in pathogenic fungi.

Conclusions:

• A holistic, One Health strategy is crucial to address the increasing burden of IFDs.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to understand fungal ecology and host-pathogen interactions.
• Mitigating IFDs requires addressing environmental drivers and promoting sustainable practices.