Background: Climate change may cause profound and complex changes in the prevalence of infectious diseases. Obligate pathogenic fungi causing endemic mycoses and the agents of cryptococcosis are environmental pathogens adapted to environmental niches. They may be exposed to changing climatic conditions, which may change the epidemiology of human infections.
Objectives: To review documented changes in the epidemiology of endemic fungal infections and cryptococcosis. To review evidence that changing climate is a potential mechanism for changes in the epidemiology of these infections.
Methods: A selective literature review focusing on endemic mycoses and cryptococcosis.
Results: Changes in endemic regions of infections caused by C. gattii and selected endemic mycoses have been well documented. Significant increases in the incidence of infections have been demonstrated for some areas. Climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events), changes in land use, distribution of potential host animals, and global trade routes are discussed as contributory factors.
Conclusions: Improved surveillance of fungal infections of humans and animals including molecular typing of clinical and environmental isolates is necessary to understand the epidemiology of these infections. The characterization of environmental niches, mechanisms of distribution of fungi, and fungal adaptation mechanisms are needed to guide prevention strategies.
Keywords: Climate change; Coccidioidomycosis; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus gattii; Endemic mycoses; Fungal infection; Histoplasmosis.