<span style="color: #222222;">World Health Organization (WHO) in its recently published report highlighted 19 fungi that represent the greatest threat to public health. The list known as Fungal priority pathogens list (FPPL) is the first global effort to systematically prioritize fungal pathogens, considering the unmet research and development (R&amp;D) needs and the perceived public health importance.<br />”<br />”<span style="font-weight: bold;">What is a Fungus</span>: <br />”Fungi are multicellular organisms consisting of eukaryotic cells.There are more than 100,000 varieties of fungi.They have no mechanisms for locomotion. Fungi get nutrients by absorption and range in size from microscopic to bigger ones like mushrooms. They usually act as decomposers by obtaining their energy from the chemical breakdown of dead organisms as well as from animal and plant waste products. Fungi are one of the categories in the 5 kingdom classification. The other 4 are Protista (the single-celled eukaryotes),Plants; Animals and the prokaryotes(Monera).&nbsp;The major group of microbes that causes diseases to humans are Viruses, Prions, Bacteria, Fungi, Protozoa, and Helminths(worms)<br />”<br />”As per WHO, Fungal pathogens are a major threat to public health as they are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment. Currently, only four classes of systemic antifungal medicines (azoles, echinocandins, pyrimidines and polyenes) are used in clinical practice, and only a few others are under development. Although existing antifungal medicines are effective, they are associated with a plethora of adverse effects. Most fungal pathogens lack rapid and sensitive diagnostics and those that exist are not widely available or affordable globally.<br />”<br />”<span style="font-weight: bold;">Reasons for Rise</span>:<br />”? Due to global warming and the increase of international travel and trade, the incidence and geographic range of fungal diseases are expanding worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the reported incidence of invasive fungal infections increased significantly among hospitalized patients.<br />”? As the fungi that cause common infections (such as candida oral and vaginal thrush) become increasingly resistant to treatment, risks for the development of more invasive forms of infections in the general population are also growing.<br />”? Resistance to antifungal medicines is partly driven by inappropriate antifungal use across the One Health spectrum. For example, injudicious use of antifungals in agriculture was linked to the rising rates of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus infections.<br />”? Despite the growing concern, fungal infections receive very little attention and resources, leading to a scarcity of quality data on fungal disease distribution and antifungal resistance patterns. As a result, the exact burden of fungal diseases and antifungal resistance are unknown, and the response is therefore undermined. The invasive forms of these fungal infections often affect severely ill patients and those with significant underlying immune system related conditions.<br />”? Cases of invasive fungal disease (IFD) are rising as the at-risk population continues to expand. This is due to many factors, including advancements in modern medicine and accessibility to therapies and interventions that impair the immune system, such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy for cancer, and solid organ transplantation.<br />”<br />”<span style="font-weight: bold;">Three priority categories</span><br />”<br />”The WHO FPPL list is divided into three categories: Critical, high and medium priority. The fungal pathogens of in each priority category are so ranked primarily due to their public health impact and/or emerging antifungal resistance risk. While recognizing these critical pathogens as of public health concern globally, WHO emphases that the FPPL must be interpreted and contextualized carefully, as some endemic pathogens could be of more concern in their respective regional or local contexts.<br />”<br />”Critical Category : &nbsp;<br />”? Cryptococcus neoformans : Cryptococcus neoformans is a globally distributed pathogenic yeast which lives in the environment (soil, decaying wood). After inhalation of fungal cells from the environment, C. neoformans can infect humans. Cryptococcosis initially affects the lungs but can spread to the central nervous system (cryptococcal meningitis) and blood (cryptococcaemia). Human-to-human transmission does not occur. Most patients are immunocompromised, and the leading risk factor is HIV infection. However, organ transplant patients and others taking medications that weaken the immune system are also at risk, and infection can occur in apparently healthy individuals.Cerebral cryptococcosis is a life-threatening disease with high mortality despite antifungal therapy.Although treatment guidelines are well established for major risk groups (HIV patients), recommended antifungals are unavailable in many countries, and no clear guidelines for non-HIV at risk groups.<br />”<br />”? Candida auris is a globally distributed pathogenic yeast that can cause invasive candidiasis of the blood (candidaemia), heart, central nervous system, eyes, bones and internal organs. Invasive candidiasis is a serious nosocomial infection that especially affects critically ill and immunocompromised patients, such as cancer or bone marrow and organ transplant patients. It is intrinsically resistant to most available antifungal medicines and some strains are pan-resistant.It is difficult to identify by conventional techniques. Although treatment guidelines are well established, recommended antifungals are unavailable in many countries. Preventive measures are not well established. Overall, thermoresistant and partially resistant to commonly use disinfectants.<br />”? Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous environmental mould that can infect humans and cause<br />”aspergillosis. It is inhaled from the environment, predominantly causing pulmonary disease, but can disseminate to other sites, such as the brain.Aspergillosis is a term used for a wide spectrum of infections that range from allergic reaction,colonization and semi-invasive disease to acute invasive aspergillosis.Azole-resistant invasive aspergillosis is a life-threatening disease with very high mortality. Emerging resistance to azoles is concerning.<br />”? Candida albicans is a globally distributed pathogenic yeast. It is a common member of the human microbiota (mouth, throat, gut, vagina, and skin) and produces no harm in healthy conditions. However,it can multiply in these mucosae or invade other tissues, producing disease. In mucosae, it produces diseases such as oropharyngeal candidiasis, oesophageal candidiasis, vulvovaginal candidiasis and cutaneous candidiasis. More serious, C. albicans can produce invasive infections (invasive candidiasis) of the blood (candidaemia), heart, central nervous system, eyes, bones and internal organs with high mortality. Critically ill and immunocompromised patients are especially affected.<br />”<br />”The FPPL report underscores strategies for policymakers, public health professionals and other stakeholders. The strategies proposed in the report are collectively aimed at generating evidence and improving response to these fungal priority pathogens including preventing the development of antifungal drug resistance. The primary recommended actions are focused on: (1) strengthening laboratory capacity and surveillance; (2) sustaining investments in research, development, and innovation; and (3) enhancing public health interventions for prevention and control.</span><br />