More than one million people die from fungal infections around the world each year. Yet there are no vaccines and there is a “pressing needs” for new treatments.
There are more than 5 million types of fungi , but only 3 major groups causes the majority of deaths in people:
- Aspergillus – which affects the lungs
- Cryptococcus – which mainly attacks the brain
- Candida – which infects mucosal membranes including in the mouth and genitals.
A million people die each year from fungal infections and the infections are more deadly in people with weakened immune systems – such as patients with HIV and Cancer. Patients having cancer therapy or who are taking immunosuppresant drugs after an organ transplant are also more susceptible to infection.
It is an underappreciated problem and it’s a very serious challenge in our country where the climnate conditions simply nurtures the growth and spread of the mold and fungus, particularly in wet markets, public housing projects and shop lots that are occupied by eateries.