The Global Burden of Fungal Diseases

Abstract

Fungal diseases require greater attention today than ever before, given the expanding population of immunosuppressed patients who are at higher risk for these diseases. This article reports on distribution, incidence, and prevalence of various fungal diseases and points out gaps in knowledge where such data are not available. Fungal diseases that contribute substantially to global morbidity and mortality are highlighted. Long-term, sustainable surveillance programs for fungal diseases and better noninvasive and reliable diagnostic tools are needed to estimate the burden of these diseases more accurately.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Candida; Cryptococcus; Endemic mycoses; Epidemiology; Fungal diseases; Global burden; Mold.