Fatal fungi:WHO releases list of dangerous fungal pathogens

A list of more than a dozen fungi that pose a threat to public health was published today by the World Health Organization. The WHO publishes a similar list of most threatening bacteria and cited a general lack of investment in studying dangerous fungi as a reason for compiling the fungal priority pathogens list. Four types of fungi were included in the critical priority group: Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Candida Auris The different fungi included in the list represent 'priority pathogens' including yeasts and molds that are commonly found in the environment and our own bodies Dr Hanan Balkhy, the WHO's assistant director-general, antimicrobial resistance said: 'Emerging from the shadows of the bacterial antimicrobial resistance pandemic, fungal infections are growing, and are ever more resistant to treatments, becoming a public health concern worldwide.' Paracoccidioides Four types of fungi were included in the critical priority group: Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Candida Auris. Prof Jon Cohen, an infectious disease expert at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK said: 'While the problems associated with bacteria, especially resistance to antibiotics, have become well known, and of course viruses such as COVID have claimed huge public attention, serious infections caused by fungi have received far less attention.'