Fungal infections are a growing concern, with many people experiencing recurring infections and no effective treatments available. The development of antifungal vaccines and drugs is underway to combat this public health threat.
Fighting fungi isn’t easy. While it may not be as action-packed as a zombie apocalypse, fungal infections can have devastating consequences for human health. With the rise of climate change and its impact on the environment, fungal diseases such as “Candida auris” and valley fever are becoming increasingly common.
Fungal infections occur when fungi, such as yeast or mold, take control of the body's tissues and organs.
These microorganisms can cause a range of symptoms, from mild skin irritations to life-threatening diseases like candidiasis.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), fungal infections affect over 1 billion people worldwide each year, with the majority being in tropical regions.
Common causes of fungal infections include weakened immune systems, poor hygiene, and exposure to contaminated water or soil.
Understanding Fungal Immunity
Can a person become immune to fungi? Yes, to some fungi at least, and that immunity can last a lifetime for many people. For example, individuals who grow up in parts of the American Southwest may develop lifelong immunity to “Coccidioides” fungi that cause valley fever. However, some fungi can infect us over and over again, making it unclear if people can become immune to those.
Fungal immunity refers to the body's defense mechanisms against fungal infections.
The human immune system has evolved to recognize and respond to fungal pathogens, which are distinct from bacterial or viral invaders.
Key components of fungal immunity include phagocytic cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, that engulf and digest fungal particles.
Cytokines, like interferon-gamma, also play a crucial role in coordinating the immune response against fungi.
Research has shown that impaired fungal immunity can lead to severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.
The immune system consists of various types of white blood cells, some of which produce antibodies and others that help kill invaders in different ways. Antibodies are generally too small to take down relatively large fungal cells, while immune cells known as T cells are the fungi fighters. These can be found in the blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances.
It consists of two main branches: the innate immune system, which provides immediate defense, and the adaptive immune system, which remembers specific threats and mounts a targeted response.
The immune system also includes barriers like skin and mucous membranes that prevent entry of pathogens.
Effective functioning of the immune system is crucial for overall health and disease prevention.
Developing Antifungal Vaccines and Drugs
While nearly everyone breathes in at least a few spores regularly, the immune system can keep those from establishing a full-blown infection. However, as people build in deserts, scrubland, and other places where fungi thrive, more people are encountering more fungi.
Several companies are working on antifungal vaccines and drugs to combat fungal infections. For example, “Anivive” is developing vaccines against two fungal diseases, valley fever and blastomycosis, that affect both dogs and humans. The company’s vaccine fungus can’t start an infection but can train the immune system to attack fungi it encounters in the future.
However, there are precious few antifungal treatments available, and some fungi are developing resistance to existing drugs. In fact, only four new antifungal drugs have been approved in the last decade in the United States, Europe, or China. Another nine are in development, but just three of those have reached the final stages of testing in people.
A Critical Need for Antifungal Solutions
The lack of effective treatments for fungal infections is a pressing concern. According to the “World Health Organization”, there are fungal infections that can be treated with no current licensed therapy whatsoever. This highlights the need for continued research and development of new antifungal solutions.
In addition to vaccines and drugs, researchers are also exploring other ways to combat fungal infections, such as preventing exposure to spores in the first place. For example, wearing protective gear when working outdoors or using air purifiers to reduce indoor spore counts can help prevent infection.
Conclusion
Fungal infections are a growing concern, with many people experiencing recurring infections and no effective treatments available. While some fungi can be treated with existing drugs, there is still much work to be done to develop new antifungal solutions. By supporting research and development of antifungal vaccines and drugs, we can help combat this growing public health threat.
- sciencenews.org | Humans have shockingly few ways to treat fungal infections
