A global view on fungal infections in humans and animals: opportunistic infections and microsporidioses

Abstract

After cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases are the second most common cause of death worldwide. Although these infections are caused mainly by viruses or bacteria, a systematically growing prevalence of human and animal opportunistic fungal infections is noticeable worldwide. More attention is being paid to this problem, especially due to the growing frequency of recalcitrant and recurrent mycoses. The latter are classically divided into superficial, which are the most common type, subcutaneous, and systemic. This work discusses opportunistic fungal pathogens without proven horizontal transmission between different animal species including humans and microsporidia as spore-forming unicellular parasites related to fungi; however, with a yet undetermined taxonomic position. The review also mentions etiological agents, risk factors, epidemiology, geographical distribution, and finally symptoms characteristic for individual disease entities. This paper provides insight into fungal infections from a global perspective and Accepted Article This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved simultaneously draws attention to emerging pathogens, whose prevalence is continuously increasing. Finally, this work also takes into consideration the correct nomenclature of fungal disease entities and the importance of secondary metabolites in the pathogenesis of fungal infections.

European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus L.) as a Reservoir of Dermatophytes in Poland

“…In the last few years, superficial infections caused by filamentous fungi, especially dermatophytes, along with the concomitant increase in the number of difficult-to-treat cases have increasingly been recognised worldwide as a serious public health problem [1][2][3]. This imposes a high economic burden, as approximately $1.67 billion is spent on the treatment of dermatophytosis each year [4]. The main etiological factors of superficial mycoses are dermatophytes, which are a cosmopolitan group encompassing more than 50 species classified within the genera Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton, Arthroderma, Nannizzia, Lophophyton, Guarromyces, and Paraphyton [5].…”

Efficacy of Gold Nanoparticles against Drug-Resistant Nosocomial Fungal Pathogens and Their Extracellular Enzymes: Resistance Profiling towards Established Antifungal Agents

“…Considering the 300 pathogenic fungi of Aspergillus spp., A. fumigatus , A. flavus , A. niger , and A. terreus are considered significant in causing infections amongst immunocompromised patients [ 36 , 37 ]. These strains were isolated in patients with invasive aspergillosis of nosocomial origin, as per this study.…”

Cyanobacteria: A Natural Source for Controlling Agricultural Plant Diseases Caused by Fungi and Oomycetes and Improving Plant Growth

“…Many strains of Aspergillus produce mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin A (A. carbonarius, A. niger, A. parasiticus, and A. westerdijkiae), and aflatoxins (A. flavus) which are high toxic to mammals [81,85]. Some species are also opportunistic human and animal pathogens [86]. Fusarium oxysporum is a representative example of Fusarium species for studying cyanobacteria extracts activity.…”