Threats Posed by the Fungal Kingdom to Humans, Wildlife, and Agriculture

Abstract

The fungal kingdom includes at least 6 million eukaryotic species and is remarkable with respect to its profound impact on global health, biodiversity, ecology, agriculture, manufacturing, and biomedical research. Approximately 625 fungal species have been reported to infect vertebrates, 200 of which can be human associated, either as commensals and members of our microbiome or as pathogens that cause infectious diseases. These organisms pose a growing threat to human health with the global increase in the incidence of invasive fungal infections, prevalence of fungal allergy, and the evolution of fungal pathogens resistant to some or all current classes of antifungals. More broadly, there has been an unprecedented and worldwide emergence of fungal pathogens affecting animal and plant biodiversity. Approximately 8,000 species of fungi and Oomycetes are associated with plant disease. Indeed, across agriculture, such fungal diseases of plants include new devastating epidemics of trees and jeopardize food security worldwide by causing epidemics in staple and commodity crops that feed billions. Further, ingestion of mycotoxins contributes to ill health and causes cancer. Coordinated international research efforts, enhanced technology translation, and greater policy outreach by scientists are needed to more fully understand the biology and drivers that underlie the emergence of fungal diseases and to mitigate against their impacts. Here, we focus on poignant examples of emerging fungal threats in each of three areas: human health, wildlife biodiversity, and food security.

Fungi are colder than their surroundings

“…Surviving almost anywhere, fungal organisms can be a source of food, medicines, and a variety of biomaterials [14]. The fungal kingdom also includes species that are mutualists such as mycorrhizal fungi, as well as, species in the form of molds and yeasts that are pathogenic to animal and plant flora, causing severe public health and agricultural problems [15]. Pilei are often convex but can also form other shapes during development and between species.…”

International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM)—New Initiatives

“…The emerging threat of fungal infections of plant, animal and man has been highlighted since the turn of this century [ 1 , 2 ]. The estimated fatalities due to fungal infections are around 1.5 million per year [ 3 ].…”

Early Virulence Predictors during the Candida Species–Galleria mellonella Interaction

“…The human fungal infections are caused by a reduced number of etiological agents when compared to the vast range of bacteria that can cause human diseases; nevertheless, the mycoses are a serious threat for human beings, causing morbidity and mortality rates that surpass the one million affected persons per year [ 1 , 2 ]. The most frequent systemic and deep-seated mycoses are cryptococcosis, aspergillosis, and candidemia, caused by Cryptococcus spp., Aspergillus fumigatus , and Candida spp., respectively [ 1 ].…”