Fungal diseases in Africa: epidemiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic advances

Abstract

The spectrum of fungal diseases that affect humans is broad, ranging from asymptomatic superficial mycoses to deep systemic diseases due to opportunistic or primary fungal pathogens. 1 Recently, the COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted mucormycosis as an important opportunistic fungal disease, especially in patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and prolonged, high-dose corticosteroid use.2 Fungal diseases substantially contribute to the burden of diseases in Africa, mainly driven by heavy affliction of poverty, tuberculosis (TB) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Figure 1).3,4 Recent estimates of the burden of key fungal diseases are summarized in Table 1. The overarching aim of the special collection was to provide a state-of-the-art overview of our current understanding of various aspects of fungal diseases in Africa. It was overwhelmingly successful with a total of 14 high-quality submissions summarized below.