Why scientists are rethinking the chemical ‘arms race’ against fungi
Scientists are investigating why fungal infections are becoming more dangerous and resistant to treatment, particularly in hospital settings. Researchers suggest that global warming may be forcing fungi to adapt to higher temperatures, potentially allowing them to survive inside the human body.
Why it matters
The rise of heat-tolerant, drug-resistant fungi poses a significant threat to public health and hospital safety, necessitating a shift in medical research.
For a long time, fungal infections have meant itchy skin, discoloured nails and sometimes hair loss.
These symptoms are collectively called dermatophytosis and are caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes.
‘’Unfortunately, immunocompromised patients can get lesions all over their body. The itchiness and the lesions can get so severe that people even get suicidal thoughts,” said Shivaprakash Rudramurthy, professor of medical mycology at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
Dermatophytes are molds: fungi that grow in long strands. The other common category of fungi is yeast, which are single, oval-shaped cells. Among the yeasts, Candida auris is rapidly emerging as a multidrug resistant pathogen in ICU facilities. It enters the blood stream and causes severe infections, most of which are untreatable by the available antifungals. According to Prof. Rudramurthy, those infected suffer a 30-40% mortality rate.
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