Fungal Resistance on the Rise
Scientists are raising the alarm about the growing resistance of fungi to antifungal treatments. A report in The Lancet warns that millions of people are at risk as many fungal pathogens have developed resistance to current drugs. This problem contributes to around 3.8 million deaths each year.
The Overlooked AMR Problem
While much attention is given to bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the scientists stress that fungal resistance is equally important. They are urging the United Nations to address this issue at their next AMR meeting in September.
Health Dangers of Fungal Infections
Fungal infections such as those from Aspergillus and Candida are becoming harder to treat. These infections can severely impact older people and those with weakened immune systems, leading to life-threatening complications.
Difficulty in Finding Treatments
Developing effective antifungal drugs is challenging because fungal cells closely resemble human cells. This makes it hard to create treatments that can kill the fungus without harming the patient. Even when new treatments are found, resistance can develop quickly, especially due to their use in agriculture.
Solutions Proposed by Scientists
- Restrict the use of certain antifungal drugs.
- Establish international cooperation to address resistance.
- Add fungal resistance to the agenda at the UN’s AMR meeting.