The changing epidemiology of fungal infections

Cornelia Lass-Flörl; Stephan Steixner

doi:10.1016/j.mam.2023.101215

The changing epidemiology of fungal infections

Mol Aspects Med. 2023 Dec:94:101215. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101215. Epub 2023 Oct 5.

Authors

Cornelia Lass-Flörl¹, Stephan Steixner²

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: cornelia.lass-floerl@i-med.ac.at.
² Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria.

PMID: 37804792
DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101215

Abstract

Invasive fungal diseases are common complications in critically ill patients and in those with significant underlying imbalanced immune systems. Fungal co-, and/or super-infections are emerging and have become a rising concern within the last few years. In Europe, cases of candidiasis and aspergillosis dominate, followed by mucormycosis in India. Epidemiological studies show an increasing trend in the incidence of all three entities. Parallel to this, a shift within the underlying fungal pathogens is observed. More non-albicans Candida infections and aspergillosis with cryptic species are on the rise; cryptic species may cover intrinsic resistance to azoles and other antifungal drugs. The recent COVID-19 pandemic led to a significantly increasing incidence of invasive fungal diseases among hospitalized patients.

Keywords: Aspergillosis; Candidiasis; Epidemiology; Invasive fungal disease; Mucormycosis; Rare fungi.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
Aspergillosis* / drug therapy
Aspergillosis* / epidemiology
Humans
Mycoses* / epidemiology
Pandemics

Substances

Antifungal Agents