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Pathogens
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An Update on Fungal Infections
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An Update on Fungal Infections

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungal Pathogens".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 14645

Special Issue Editors

Dr. María del Rocío Reyes Montes

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Guest Editor
Departamento de Microbiología-Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Interests: molecular epidemiology; molecular diagnostic; molecular markers; aspergillosis; coccidioidomicosis; dermatophytosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Esperanza Duarte-Escalante

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Microbiología-Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Interests: molecular epidemiology; molecular diagnostic; molecular markers; aspergillosis; coccidioidomicosis; dermatophytosis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the Guest Editors of the journal Pathogens (ISSN: 2076-0817), it is our honor to invite you to submit a paper to the current Special Issue. Your article will be published with the highest priority for processing and a peer review.

The presence of fungi in different environments, in addition to the growing globalization and climate change, has increased the number of fungal infections. In this Special Issue of Pathogens, the most innovative and advanced aspects of fungal infections will be reviewed, including host–parasite interaction, mechanisms of pathogenesis, epidemiological aspects of fungal infections, the impact of climate change on the increase in fungal infections and the development of new methodologies for the diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections. To fulfill this objective, we invite our colleagues in the scientific community to submit original articles, reviews and clinical cases related to fungal infections in humans, animals or plants.

Dr. María del Rocío Reyes Montes
Dr. Esperanza Duarte-Escalante
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fungal infections
  • host–parasite interaction
  • pathogenesis
  • epidemiology
  • climate change
  • diagnosis
  • treatment

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review, Other

11 pages, 839 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of T. rubrum and T. interdigitale Exhibiting High MICs to Terbinafine in Clinical Samples Analyzed in the Portuguese Mycology Reference Laboratory
by Helena Schirmer, Camila Henriques, Helena Simões, Cristina Veríssimo and Raquel Sabino
Pathogens 2025, 14(2), 115; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020115 - 25 Jan 2025
Viewed by 843
Abstract
Cutaneous fungal infections represent a significant burden worldwide with a high impact on public health. Accurate identification of dermatophyte species causing these infections is vital for an appropriate treatment. Terbinafine is the primary agent against Trichophyton species due to its clinical efficacy; however, [...] Read more.
Cutaneous fungal infections represent a significant burden worldwide with a high impact on public health. Accurate identification of dermatophyte species causing these infections is vital for an appropriate treatment. Terbinafine is the primary agent against Trichophyton species due to its clinical efficacy; however, cases of elevated minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) have been reported, raising clinical and epidemiological concerns. Herein, we aimed to detect Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale isolates collected from clinical samples with terbinafine-high MICs (TRB-hMIC). A total of 168 isolates, recovered from 2017 to 2023, were identified as T. rubrum complex (140/83.4%) or T. interdigitale (28/16.7%) and further screened regarding their terbinafine susceptibility. Four isolates with capacity to grow in terbinafine media were detected by screening, and these and a further sixteen random isolates were submitted to the broth microdilution method. This methodology confirmed the four (2.4%) isolates as TRB-hMIC. One T. rubrum and three T. interdigitale showed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) higher than 1 mg/L. Partial sequencing of the SQLE gene identified point mutations in T. rubrum (Phe397Iso) and in one T. interdigitale (Phe397Leu) isolate. Notably, in the other two T. interdigitale isolates with TRB-hMIC, no point mutations in the SQLE gene were identified. In conclusion, TRB-hMIC isolates (T. rubrum and T. interdigitale) were identified in clinical samples analyzed in Portugal, as antifungal susceptibility testing is a crucial routine for identifying treatment failures and also for epidemiological purposes aiming to monitor the dynamics of terbinafine resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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12 pages, 2329 KiB  
Article
Epidemiological Analysis of Fungal Infection Disease in Pediatric Population: Focus on Hospitalization from 2007 to 2022 in Veneto Region in Italy
by Lorenzo Chiusaroli, Claudia Cozzolino, Silvia Cocchio, Mario Saia, Carlo Giaquinto, Daniele Donà and Vincenzo Baldo
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010093 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 814
Abstract
Fungal infections (FIs) are widespread globally, affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent children, with varying clinical implications based on age and comorbidities. In immunocompromised children, particularly those with hematologic oncological conditions, FI leads to substantially longer hospital stays and increased in-hospital mortality, with reported [...] Read more.
Fungal infections (FIs) are widespread globally, affecting both immunocompromised and immunocompetent children, with varying clinical implications based on age and comorbidities. In immunocompromised children, particularly those with hematologic oncological conditions, FI leads to substantially longer hospital stays and increased in-hospital mortality, with reported rates ranging from 15% to 20%. Our study aims to analyze the epidemiological trends of fungal infections in the pediatric population within a specific region of Italy. We extracted ICD-9 codes related to fungal infections from hospital discharge records (HDRs) in the pediatric population of Veneto, located in the north-east of Italy, between 2007 and 2022. We included all children admitted to the hospital with a primary or secondary diagnosis during admission for other reasons. Data were stratified based on age, year, ward of admission, and type of diagnosis. Patients older than eighteen and HDRs related to a second admission within thirty days from the previous admission were excluded. A total of 1433 diagnoses were analyzed during the period, with 241 (16.8%) as main diagnoses and 1192 (83.2%) as secondary diagnoses. The overall hospitalization rate was 1084 cases/100,000 (1.69 cases/100,000 as primary diagnosis and 8.95 cases/100,000 as secondary). The hospitalization rate stratified for age was 11,055 cases/100,000 among infants younger than 1 year, 8.48 cases/100,000 among those aged 1-4 years, and 4.4 cases/100,000 among children older than 5. The more frequent infection was Candida spp. (62.8%), followed by Aspergillus spp. (14.6%) and skin mycosis (9.5%). Overall, the pediatric in-hospital case fatality rate due to FI was 2.09%. Our study elucidated the overall experience of fungal infections in the pediatric population of the Veneto region in Italy. Specifically, we underscored a relatively stable hospitalization rate for fungal diseases and a noteworthy mortality rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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16 pages, 9860 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to Identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger from Polymorphic Patterns Obtained by RAPD-PCR
by Carlos Alberto Castro-Fuentes, María Guadalupe Frías-De-León, María del Carmen González-Villaseñor, Esperanza Duarte-Escalante, Omar Esteban Valencia-Ledezma, Areli Martínez-Gamboa, Beatriz Meraz-Ríos and María del Rocío Reyes-Montes
Pathogens 2024, 13(7), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070574 - 10 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1168
Abstract
We evaluated the specificity of the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively, with the RAPD-PCR method. Eighty-two isolates belonging to the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri were used. The [...] Read more.
We evaluated the specificity of the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively, with the RAPD-PCR method. Eighty-two isolates belonging to the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri were used. The isolates were identified by phenotypic (macro- and micromorphology) and genotypic (partial sequences of the BenA gene) methods. The RAPD-PCR method was used to obtain polymorphic patterns with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253. The specificity of the polymorphic patterns of the isolates of each species was evaluated through the UPGMA clustering method and logistic regression model. All isolates of the genus Aspergillus were identified at the section level by macro- and micromorphology showing the typical morphology of the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri, and the species were identified by the construction of the phylogeny of the partial sequence of the BenA gene. The patterns’ polymorphic strains obtained with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 for the isolates of A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A niger, respectively, showed the same polymorphic pattern as the reference strains for each species. To verify the specificity of the primers, they were tested with other species from the sections Fumigati, Flavi and Nigri. The results support that the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 generate polymorphic patterns by RAPD-PCR species specific to A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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12 pages, 4524 KiB  
Article
Invasive Fungal Infections of the Head and Neck: A Tertiary Hospital Experience
by Tieying Hou, W. Robert Bell and Hector Mesa
Pathogens 2024, 13(7), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13070530 - 23 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1509
Abstract
From the existing millions of fungal species, only a few cause disease. In this study, we investigated invasive fungal infections in the head and neck (H&N) over a 19-year period (2005 to 2024) at a large academic healthcare system. Among the 413 documented [...] Read more.
From the existing millions of fungal species, only a few cause disease. In this study, we investigated invasive fungal infections in the head and neck (H&N) over a 19-year period (2005 to 2024) at a large academic healthcare system. Among the 413 documented fungal H&N infections, 336 were noninvasive, and 77 were invasive. The highest incidence of invasive infections occurred in the sinonasal cavities, with a 15-fold difference compared to other sites. Most infections affected adults over 40 years old. The most common organisms were Mucorales (51%), hyaline molds (29%), and Candida (11%). Risk factors included malignancy, transplant, diabetes, and illicit drug use. Mortality was high in patients with malignancy and/or transplant. Infections affecting the mandible were usually a complication of osteoradionecrosis and were associated with the coinfection of Candida and Actinomyces. At other sites, infections were rare and were usually the result of penetrating injuries or immunosuppression. Treatment typically involved a combination of antifungals and surgical procedures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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Review

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15 pages, 783 KiB  
Review
Is Pulmonary Mycoses Shadowed by Tuberculosis? Mandate to Hit the Bull’s Eye—An Indian Perspective
by Jeevarahini Regupathy, Priya Rajendran, Vinod Kumar and Sivakumar Shanmugam
Pathogens 2025, 14(5), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14050435 - 30 Apr 2025
Viewed by 194
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) poses serious challenges to healthcare personnel as it continues to be highly prevalent in a developing country like India. Several prominent strategies have been adopted to control this contagious infection, but the incidence rate remains high. Many studies have linked fungal [...] Read more.
Tuberculosis (TB) poses serious challenges to healthcare personnel as it continues to be highly prevalent in a developing country like India. Several prominent strategies have been adopted to control this contagious infection, but the incidence rate remains high. Many studies have linked fungal infections to TB, apparently elevating concerns in the TB elimination program. Hence, it is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying TB co-infection and pulmonary mycoses to combat the problems caused by these diseases successfully. In addition, differential diagnosis of TB and fungal infections is equally essential to initiate appropriate treatment. This review attempts to describe misdiagnosis of TB and fungal disease and their relative coexistence in the context of the Indian perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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24 pages, 4008 KiB  
Review
Humans vs. Fungi: An Overview of Fungal Pathogens against Humans
by Kasun M. Thambugala, Dinushani A. Daranagama, Danushka S. Tennakoon, Dona Pamoda W. Jayatunga, Sinang Hongsanan and Ning Xie
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050426 - 17 May 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 7453
Abstract
Human fungal diseases are infections caused by any fungus that invades human tissues, causing superficial, subcutaneous, or systemic diseases. Fungal infections that enter various human tissues and organs pose a significant threat to millions of individuals with weakened immune systems globally. Over recent [...] Read more.
Human fungal diseases are infections caused by any fungus that invades human tissues, causing superficial, subcutaneous, or systemic diseases. Fungal infections that enter various human tissues and organs pose a significant threat to millions of individuals with weakened immune systems globally. Over recent decades, the reported cases of invasive fungal infections have increased substantially and research progress in this field has also been rapidly boosted. This review provides a comprehensive list of human fungal pathogens extracted from over 850 recent case reports, and a summary of the relevant disease conditions and their origins. Details of 281 human fungal pathogens belonging to 12 classes and 104 genera in the divisions ascomycota, basidiomycota, entomophthoromycota, and mucoromycota are listed. Among these, Aspergillus stands out as the genus with the greatest potential of infecting humans, comprising 16 species known to infect humans. Additionally, three other genera, Curvularia, Exophiala, and Trichophyton, are recognized as significant genera, each comprising 10 or more known human pathogenic species. A phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the 28S nrRNA gene (LSU) of human fungal pathogens was performed to show their phylogenetic relationships and clarify their taxonomies. In addition, this review summarizes the recent advancements in fungal disease diagnosis and therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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Other

Jump to: Research, Review

7 pages, 228 KiB  
Brief Report
Outcomes of Invasive Fungal Infections Treated with Isavuconazole: A Retrospective Review
by Vanessa Gow-Lee, Omar M. Abu Saleh, Courtney E. Harris, Jennifer J. Gile, Nadia Akhiyat and Supavit Chesdachai
Pathogens 2024, 13(10), 886; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13100886 - 11 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1683
Abstract
Background: Isavuconazole (ISA) has a favorable side effect profile that makes it attractive for treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFI). It carries FDA approval for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, but there are fewer data for other organisms and non-pulmonary infections. We conducted this [...] Read more.
Background: Isavuconazole (ISA) has a favorable side effect profile that makes it attractive for treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFI). It carries FDA approval for invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis, but there are fewer data for other organisms and non-pulmonary infections. We conducted this review to investigate how ISA performed at treating IFI, with an especial interest in these non-approved indications. Methods: We retrospectively identified and reviewed 131 patients who received ISA as treatment for IFI at our institution, some of whom received ISA as their first anti-fungal therapy and others who received ISA as either step-down therapy or salvage therapy. We identified the microbiologic cause of infection as well as the anatomic site involved for each patient. We then classified patients according to their response to ISA: namely cured, partially responded, or stabilized. Results: The majority of patients were immunocompromised (n = 76, 58%). ISA was used primarily as a secondary therapy (n = 116, 89%); either as a step-down/switching from other agents, or as salvage therapy. The most common reasons for switching to ISA were toxicities with prior agents followed by QT prolongation. Although pulmonary aspergillosis and mucormycosis were represented in more than half of the cohort, ISA was also used off-label for treatment of other organisms such as endemic fungi (n = 19, 15%) as well as central nervous system (CNS) infections (n = 15, 11%). We have described the detailed clinical characteristics of these CNS infections cases. The overall clinical response rate varied by type of infection and site involved (57–73% response rate). Conclusions: We demonstrated encouraging clinical responses, particularly outside the FDA-approved indications, as well as good tolerability. This report highlights the critical need for expanded scope of prospective studies to delineate the efficacy of this better-tolerated agent, especially in central nervous system infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue An Update on Fungal Infections)
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