An Update on Human Fungal Diseases: A Holistic Overview

Fungal infections are a major public health hazard across the world, causing an estimated 1.5 million deaths each year. The epidemiology of human fungal infections differs based on geography, host characteristics and the causative agent. Fungal infections can be difficult to diagnose due to nonspecific clinical symptoms and a lack of accurate diagnostic techniques. However, breakthroughs in molecular diagnostics have increased diagnostic accuracy and timeliness. Antifungal drugs are the mainstay of treatment for fungal infections. However, the emergence of drug-resistant fungal strains is a growing concern, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Virulence and pathogenicity are critical factors in the development of fungal infections. Fungal pathogens have evolved various mechanisms to evade host immune responses; thus, understanding the mechanisms of virulence and pathogenicity is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies. Novel approaches to combat multidrug-resistant (MDR) fungal infections are urgently needed. These include the development of new antifungal drugs, combination therapy, immunotherapy and the use of natural products. The repurposing of existing drugs for antifungal activity is also a promising approach. Taken together, in this chapter, we have discussed three major human fungal pathogens Candida, Aspergillus and Cryptococcus.