The World Health Organization (WHO)1 has issued a stark warning about the growing threat of invasive fungal infections, which cause millions of deaths each year but remain underprioritized in global health responses. In two newly published reports, the agency highlights critical gaps in antifungal drug development and diagnostic testing, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to life-saving treatments is severely limited.
A Critical Shortage of Antifungal Drugs
According to WHO data, more than 6.5 million fungal infections occur annually, resulting in 3.8 million deaths. Despite this staggering toll, the pipeline for new antifungal treatments remains alarmingly thin.
A WHO report2 on antifungal drugs reveals that only four new antifungal medications have been approved in the past decade by regulatory agencies in the U.S., European Union, or China. While these drugs show activity against at least one of the WHO’s critical priority pathogens (CPPs)3—including Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Candida auris, and Cryptococcus neoformans—only one meets the agency’s criteria for innovation.
Currently, just nine antifungal drug candidates are in clinical development, with only three in phase 3 trials, the most advanced stage. Even more concerning, only three of these candidates target new molecular mechanisms, leaving patients with limited options as resistance grows.
“Invasive fungal infections threaten the lives of the most vulnerable, but countries lack the treatments needed to save lives,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO interim assistant director-general for antimicrobial resistance. “Not only is the pipeline of new antifungal drugs and diagnostics insufficient, there is a void in fungal testing in low- and middle-income countries, even in district hospitals.”
Challenges in Current Treatments and Pediatric Care
Existing antifungal treatments often come with serious side effects, drug interactions, and limited dosage forms, requiring prolonged hospital stays. The report also highlights a critical gap in pediatric care, with few clinical trials exploring appropriate dosing for children.
To address these challenges, the WHO recommends:
- Investing in global surveillance of fungal infections.
- Expanding financial incentives for antifungal drug discovery.
- Funding research to identify new drug targets.
- Exploring immune-based therapies to enhance patient responses.
Diagnostic Gaps Leave Millions Undetected
A second WHO report underscores major deficiencies in fungal diagnostics. While tests for deadly fungal pathogens exist, they require well-equipped labs and trained personnel, leaving many LMICs without access.
Key challenges include:
- Limited availability of rapid, accurate, and affordable tests.
- Inadequate knowledge among healthcare workers about fungal infections and resistance.
- Poor sensitivity and specificity of many existing tests.
The WHO is now developing an implementation blueprint to strengthen the global response to fungal threats, emphasizing the need for point-of-care diagnostic tools and better training for healthcare providers.
A Call for Immediate Action
The reports conclude with an urgent appeal for greater investment in antifungal research and development (R&D) to combat these deadly infections.
“Although some antifungal drugs are available, clinicians face significant challenges in treating life-threatening invasive fungal infections with a limited range of options,” the report states. “This highlights the urgent need for investment in antifungal R&D to provide patients with better therapies and diagnostics.”
As fungal infections continue to rise—particularly among immunocompromised individuals—the WHO’s findings serve as a critical wake-up call for global health leaders to prioritize this overlooked but deadly threat.
- WHO issues its first-ever reports on tests and treatments for fungal infections – WHO – (Accessed on Apr 08, 2025) ↩︎
- The WHO report on antifungal drugs notes that, in the past 10 years – WHO Report in PDF – (Accessed on Apr 08, 2025) ↩︎
- WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action – WHO Fungal priority pathogens list – (Accessed on Apr 08, 2025) ↩︎
References:
- Recognition of Diagnostic Gaps for Laboratory Diagnosis of Fungal Diseases: Expert Opinion from the Fungal Diagnostics Laboratories Consortium (FDLC) – NIH – National Library of Medicine – (Accessed on Apr 08, 2025)
- WHO highlights need for better drugs, diagnostics for deadly fungal infections – CIDRAP – (Accessed on Apr 08, 2025)
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