A REVIEW ON UNDERLYING CONDITIONS AND RISK DETERMINANTS OF INVASIVE AND OPPORTUNISTIC FUNGAL INFECTIONS

A. Swetha Prthima*, J. N. Suresh Kumar, Y. Harshitha, M. Lakshmi Priyanka, S. Manogna Deepika, V. Madhura Vani

ABSTRACT

Over time, fungal diseases have become a serious threat to human health worldwide, and thus predicting fungal diseases that may lead to pandemics in the future is very important if we are to have efficient preparedness and reaction plans. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are found everywhere in nature. Fungal infections are the diseases caused by fungus. The Fungal species are categorized based on the part of the body effected i.e. superficial, sub-cutaneous and systemic. The fungal organisms that infect humans such as Cryptococcus, Coccidioidomycosis, Aspergillosis etc. Patients who are suffering with diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer, organ transplant, and prolonged hospital stays, are among the immunocompromised are the more at risk for developing fungal infections. Obesity, environmental exposure, and the overuse of antibiotics or corticosteroids are the factors that contribute to people becoming more at risk of developing infections. The major fungal infections that are occurring in humans are Candidiasis, oral thrush, fungal nail infection, keratitis etc. The risk factors can be modifiable and some are non-modifiable. The modifiable risk factors include antibiotics, corticosteroids, long term hospital stays, diabetes, obesity and indoor environment exposure. The non-modifiable risk factors include cancer, AIDS, chronic lung disease, organ transplants, stem cell transplants, kidney failure, extensive burns and environmental changes.

Keywords: Fungal infections, types, risk factors, modifiable and non modifiable risk factors.