Abstract Fungal infections are a growing challenge in healthcare settings due to the ever-increasing population of immunocompromised individuals, rising antifungal resistance, and limitations in current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. This review explores the wide spectrum of medically important fungi, which include yeasts (e.g., Candida, Cryptococcus ), molds (e.g., Aspergillus , Zygomycetes ), and dimorphic fungi (e.g., Histoplasma, Coccidioides ), focusing their clinical relevance and associated systemic infections. Geographic distribution, environmental exposures, and host-related risk factors such as diabetes, malignancies, transplants, and invasive medical procedures are among the factors that influence the epidemiology of fungal infections. The diagnostic landscape is complicated by limited infrastructure, contamination issues, and nonstandardized susceptibility testing. While culture remains the gold standard, newer tools such as MALDI-TOF MS, serological assays (e.g., galactomannan, β-D-glucan, and cryptococcal antigen), and molecular diagnostics should be incorporated to improve accuracy and turnaround time. However, challenges remain with regard to interpretation, especially distinguishing colonization from infection. Treatment options include polyenes, azoles, echinocandins, and other antifungals, although resistance – both intrinsic and acquired – is an escalating problem, particularly among nonalbicans Candida and few Aspergillus species. Antifungal stewardship and understanding species-specific resistance patterns are crucial for an effective therapy. The review also throws some light on the importance of updated fungal nomenclature in laboratory reporting. In conclusion, management of fungal infections calls for a multidisciplinary approach involving improved diagnostics, targeted use of antifungals, enhanced surveillance, and ongoing education to reduce the burden of disease and improve clinical outcomes in healthcare settings.
Snigdha et al. (Tue,) studied this question.