Pathogenic fungus

Pathogenic fungi are fungi that cause disease in humans or other organisms. Although fungi are eukaryotic, many pathogenic fungi are microorganisms.[1] Approximately 300 fungi are known to be pathogenic to humans;[2] their study is called "medical mycology". Fungal infections are estimated to kill more people than either tuberculosis or malaria—about two million people per year.[3]

In 2022 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a list of fungal pathogens which should be a priority for public health action.[4]

Markedly more fungi are known to be pathogenic to plant life than those of the animal kingdom.[5] The study of fungi and other organisms pathogenic to plants is called plant pathology.

  1. ^ San-Blas G; Calderone RA, eds. (2008). Pathogenic Fungi: Insights in Molecular Biology. Caister Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-904455-32-5.
  2. ^ "Stop neglecting fungi". Nature Microbiology. 2 (8): 17120. 25 July 2017. doi:10.1038/nmicrobiol.2017.120. PMID 28741610.
  3. ^ Geddes, Linda (10 February 2023). "'A growing threat to human health': we are ill-equipped for the dangers of fungal infections". The Guardian.
  4. ^ WHO fungal priority pathogens list to guide research, development and public health action. World Health Organization. 2022. ISBN 978-92-4-006025-8.
  5. ^ English, Mary P. (1980). Medical Mycology. London: Edward Arnold Publishers Limited. p. 5. ISBN 0-7131-2795-3.