July 3, 2026mBio0 citationsOpen Access
View Full PapermGem: A perfect storm in the era of global warming—the convergence between thermotolerant fungi and altered immunity
Key Points
- The aim is to explore how global warming influences fungi-host interactions, increasing the risk of fungal infections.
- Reviewed existing literature on the effects of global warming on fungal infections and immune responses.
- Discussed the emergence of new fungal species due to environmental changes.
- Evaluated potential strategies for mitigation of fungal infections influenced by climate change.
- Identified key fungal species like Candidozyma auris and Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis emerging from altered environments.
- Highlighted how global warming compromises skin and mucosal barriers, raising susceptibility to infections.
- Discussed the genetic adaptability of fungi as a factor in rising infection rates.
Abstract
ABSTRACT The evidence supporting the impact of global warming on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, including fungal infections, is increasing. Fungi have a remarkable ability to adapt to heat and pollution, and to disseminate via air, water ecosystems, or wildfire smoke. Their genetic plasticity can lead to thermotolerance, the ability to find new ecological niches, and fitness gains. Natural reservoirs of the fungal biomass, which are heavily affected by global warming, may serve as the environments from where new fungal diseases originate, as illustrated by the recent emergence of Candidozyma auris and Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis . Moreover, global warming also affects human skin/mucosal integrity and local or systemic immune responses, which could increase host susceptibility to fungal infections. This review examines the impact of global warming on the complex fungi-host interactions, which can lead to new challenges in mycology, and discusses possible mitigation strategies.