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In a groundbreaking study published in The Lancet, scientists have sounded the alarm that combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires more than just targeting bacteria. Fungal pathogens are emerging as a significant public health threat, and addressing their resistance to treatment is crucial for curbing AMR, the study emphasized.
Conducted by researchers from the universities of Manchester, Amsterdam, and the Westerdijk Institute in the Netherlands, the study reveals a troubling trend: most fungal pathogens identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) are either already resistant or rapidly becoming resistant to existing antifungal drugs. These pathogens, which are responsible for approximately 3.8 million deaths annually, have been largely overlooked in the global effort to tackle AMR.
The study’s release comes just ahead of a United Nations meeting on AMR, urging global leaders and health experts to take a more comprehensive approach to the crisis. “Focusing on bacteria alone will not help fully combat antimicrobial resistance,” the scientists stated, calling for immediate action to prevent fungal diseases from escalating.
The Hidden Threat of Antifungal Resistance
Key fungal pathogens like Aspergillus, Candida, Nakaseomyces glabratus, and Trichophyton indotineae are leading the surge in resistance, posing severe health risks, particularly for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Invasive fungal infections have been linked to various drug resistance problems, but they remain “underrecognized” and largely ignored in public health discussions.
Dr. Norman van Rhijn from The University of Manchester explained that the similarities between fungal and human cells make it difficult to develop treatments that can target the fungi without harming human cells. This challenge has contributed to the underdevelopment of antifungal drugs, leaving many patients vulnerable to these increasingly resistant infections.
“The threat of fungal pathogens has been left out of the debate by scientists, governments, clinicians, and pharmaceutical companies,” said van Rhijn. The neglect of this issue is now causing a growing public health crisis that could become more severe without swift action.
A Call for Global Consensus and Collaboration
The scientists behind the study are advocating for a global consensus on restricting the use of specific classes of antifungal drugs to slow the rise of resistance. They also called for greater collaboration on research, regulation, and solutions that ensure the health of not just humans, but also animals and plants—underscoring the interconnectedness of food security and public health.
Fungal resistance may also have far-reaching consequences in agriculture, where antifungal drugs are used to protect crops. Unregulated use could lead to an increased risk of resistant strains that can affect both food supplies and human health.
A Growing Public Health Threat
Antimicrobial resistance has been flagged as one of the most pressing public health threats of the 21st century, with bacteria, viruses, and fungi evolving to outsmart the drugs designed to eliminate them. However, most public and governmental attention has focused on bacterial AMR, despite the growing danger posed by resistant fungi.
The Lancet study highlights the importance of expanding the AMR fight beyond bacterial infections and ensuring fungal pathogens are not left out of the conversation. As AMR continues to evolve into a global crisis, incorporating antifungal strategies is no longer optional—it’s essential.
With millions of lives at risk each year, the time for action is now, the scientists warn.
