The role and possible mechanism of intestinal fungi in the progression of chronic liver diseases

Chronic liver disease (CLD) causes 2 million annual deaths (4% of all global deaths). While gut bacteria are widely studied, intestinal fungi remain largely overlooked despite their critical roles in maintaining microecological homeostasis. This review summarizes fungal characteristics in alcohol-related liver disease, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and cirrhosis, analyzing roles of fungi and their metabolites. Targeting the gut fungal community may offer therapeutic strategies for CLD.