Context: Recently, WHO published a report highlighting the first-ever list of fungal "Priority pathogens" – a catalogue of the 19 fungi that represent the greatest threat to public health.  

Key highlights of the Report

• The WHO fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) is the first global effort to systematically prioritize fungal pathogens, considering the unmet research and development (R&D)needs and the perceived public health importance.

• The 19 Fungi identified as categorically as fungi of concern are mentioned in the table below.

• Objective:The WHO FPPL aims to focus and drive further research and policy interventions to strengthen the global response to fungal infections and antifungal resistance.

• Fungal pathogensare a major threat to public health as they are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment with only four classes of antifungal medicines currently available.

Anti-Fungal Medicines

• Antifungal drugs are medications that are used to treat fungal infections.

• While most fungal infections affect areas such as the skin and nails, some can lead to more serious and potentially life-threatening conditions like meningitis or pneumonia.

• According to the Report, most fungal pathogens lack rapid and sensitive diagnostics and those that exist are not widely available or affordable globally.

• The invasive forms of these fungal infections often affect severely ill patients and those with significant underlying immune system-related conditions.

• Populations at the greatest risk of invasive fungal infections include those with cancer, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, chronic respiratory disease, and post-primary tuberculosis infection.

The WHO FPPL list is divided into three categories

• Critical,

• High and

• Medium priority.

The fungal pathogens in each priority category are so ranked primarily due to their public health impact and/or emerging antifungal resistance risk.

Fungal Infections

• There are many types of fungal infections. Some of the most common fungal infections are those of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes. Examples include:

• Ringworm (also known as tinea): a fungal infection of the skin that can occur on your scalp, on your feet (athlete’s foot), in your groin area (jock itch), and on other areas of your body

• Nail fungus: an infection that typically affects your toenails but can also affect your fingernails

• Vaginal yeast infection: an infection that occurs due to the overgrowth of Candida yeast in and around the vagina

• Oral thrush: a condition in which Candida yeast overgrows in your mouth.