Dermatologists and skin specialists have said that common fungal infections are now becoming leading cause of patients visiting skin clinics and hospitals. Despite the prevalence of such infections and the fact that 3.2 million Pakistanis are living with infections such as keratitis, which can cause blindness, and the life-threatening Candida auris infection whereas there is no specific national policy on fungal disease. They were addressing 1st International Collaborative Mycology (ICM) Conference jointly organized by Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI), the Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan and Aga Khan University Hospital at Karachi.
Dr. Kausar Jabeen, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at AKU & Chairperson of the Conference said that fungal disease is an area almost forgotten by public health professionals and policymakers. Since treatment options for these diseases are already limited this policy oversight has dangerous implications. Fungal infections also represent a growing threat to the livelihood of our animals and plants which harms the country’s food security and biodiversity.
Speaking in a global context, Prof. David Denning, President GAFFI informed that fungal infections claim 1.6 million lives around the world every year: a death toll that exceeds malaria and is equivalent to the lives lost to tuberculosis. Similarly, fungi and fungi-like micro-organisms, oomycetes (commonly known as water mould), destroy a third of all food crops around the world which would have fed 600 million people.
The Sessions at the conference also focused on the key concern of growing fungal resistance to medications which were narrowing treatment options and leaving patients little choice beyond very expensive drugs. Commenting on the challenges in treating by a serious fungal infection, Candida auris, which can trigger sepsis (a deadly illness that causes inflammation throughout the body), speakers noted that poor availability of medicines was leading to delays in treatment. Even when medicines were present, the prohibitive cost of using second-line drugs, which can cost around Rs 13,000 per day, limited the availability of treatment, experts added.
MEDICAL ATLAS LAUNCHED TO HIGHLIGHT NEGLECTED SET OF INFECTIONS IN PAKISTAN
Aga Khan University launched a medical atlas aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections which are becoming a growing public health concern in Pakistan. The new book Practical Guide and Atlas of the Diagnosis of Fungal Infections was launched at the 1st International Collaborative Mycology (ICM) Conference which was jointly organized by the global research and advocacy body, Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI), the Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan and AKU.
The book contains high resolution microscopic images of over 20 types of fungal infections caused by more than 60 fungal species that have been reported at the country’s healthcare institutions. Compiled over a period of 6 years and through a series of eight intensive workshops, the publication also contains detailed instructions to guide medical professionals and students in diagnosing these infections.
