It takes precedence from the bacterial priority pathogens list established by WHO in 2017 with a similar focus to galvanise global attention and action
This classification is based on the pathogen’s public health impact or emerging antifungal resistance risk. Photo: WHO The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the first-ever priority pathogen list — which includes 19 fungi — to identify fungi which pose the greatest threat to public health.
This systematic prioritisation will help address the perceived public health importance and satisfy the unmet needs in the research and development sector.
The list takes precedence from the bacterial priority pathogens list, first established by WHO in 2017 with a similar focus to galvanise global attention and action.
The global health body’s fungal priority pathogen list was released October 25, 2022. It has been divided into three categories — critical, high and medium priority.
This classification is based on the pathogen’s public health impact or emerging antifungal resistance risk. The WHO urges a geography-wise close reading of these lists is key for assessing and tackling the threat.
While this report is time and a step in the right direction, more needs to be done. “We need more data and evidence on fungal infections and antifungal resistance to inform and improve response to these priority fungal pathogens,” said Dr Haileyesus Getahun, WHO director of the antimicrobial resistance global coordination department, in a WHO statement.
The list’s publication is opportune as fungi are becoming an increasingly common threat to public health. Global warming and increasing international travel and trade are fuelling this rise. The COVID-19 pandemic saw an increase in mucormycosis or black fungus infections among those hospitalised.
Currently, only a few treatment candidates are being tested and just four classes of antifungal medicines are available. Poor diagnostic systems further compound the situation.
These factors are especially concerning for the at-risk population — those with comorbidities — such as patients with cancer, HIV/AIDS, organ transplants, chronic respiratory disease and post-primary tuberculosis infection. However, with a wide geographic spread resulting in more incidents, resistance to treatment is also on the rise.
“Emerging from the shadows of the bacterial antimicrobial resistance pandemic, fungal infections are growing and are ever more resistant to treatments, becoming a public health concern worldwide,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO assistant director general, antimicrobial resistance.
A three-layered approach emerged in the strategies suggested by policymakers, governments and public health professionals.
The strategy includes:
“Countries are encouraged to follow a stepwise approach, starting with strengthening their fungal disease laboratory and surveillance capacities and ensuring equitable access to existing quality therapeutics and diagnostics, globally,” Getahun added.
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