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Fungal Infection in HIV-Infected Patients-Is It Still a Challenge?

Martyna Biała1, Natalia Słabisz2,3, Brygida Knysz1

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Liver Diseases and Acquired Immune Deficiences, Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-149 Wroclaw, Poland.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|December 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections remain a significant threat for individuals with HIV/AIDS, particularly those with untreated or poorly managed disease. Rising antifungal resistance and an increase in immunocompromised patients worldwide exacerbate these challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunocompromised Host Infections

Background:

  • Fungal infections are common opportunistic infections in individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).
  • Specific fungi like Pneumocystis jirovecii, Cryptococcus neoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Candida spp. disproportionately affect HIV-infected individuals.
  • While antiretroviral therapy has reduced invasive fungal infections, untreated or non-adherent patients remain at high risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of prevalent fungal infections in HIV-positive patients.
  • To discuss the evolving epidemiology and etiology of these infections.
  • To highlight current therapeutic challenges, including rising antifungal resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of common fungal infections in HIV/AIDS patients.
  • Analysis of epidemiological trends and etiological shifts.
  • Discussion of current treatment strategies and challenges.

Main Results:

  • Antiretroviral therapy has decreased invasive fungal infections in HIV patients.
  • Untreated or poorly adherent HIV patients face severe complications and mortality from fungal infections.
  • Increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients and rising antifungal resistance pose growing public health concerns.

Conclusions:

  • Fungal infections continue to be a critical concern in HIV/AIDS management.
  • The landscape of fungal infections in HIV is changing due to treatment adherence and broader immunocompromised populations.
  • Addressing antifungal resistance and optimizing treatment strategies are essential for improving patient outcomes.
Keywords:
HIVantifungal resistancefungal infection

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