UC Davis researchers call for global action against antifungal resistance

UC Davis researchers call for global action against antifungal resistance

UC Davis infectious disease experts George Thompson and Angel Desai are sounding the alarm about the role new pesticides can play in building resistance to antifungal medical treatments. In a comment in theNew England Journal of MedicineThey call for a coordinated, global “One Health” approach to the development, testing and use of active ingredients to combat pathogens such as fungi and bacteria.

Fungal diseases cause major economic and health burdens. Antifungal drugs (fungicides) are widely used in agriculture and medicine to combat their spread. However, the development of new compounds to kill harmful fungi in plants (pesticides) may increase fungal resistance to treatments in humans and animals.

Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens are a constant reminder for us to use agents wisely. We learned that the widespread use of antibiotics for livestock led to the rapid development of antibacterial resistance. We have similar concerns about the use of antifungals in the environment. “

George Thompson, infectious disease expert, UC Davis

Thompson is the lead author of the article. He is a professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine in the Division of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and Division of Medical Microbiology and Immunology.

A one-health approach suggests a more holistic view of health. It emphasizes how changes in one area – such as human activity, animal health or the environment – ​​can have ripple effects across all three.

About antifungal resistance

Changes in climate and wind patterns can spread pathogens such as fungi. Human travelers, migrating animals, and the movement of contaminated objects can also carry pathogens to new areas.

In recent decades there has been a rapid increase in fungal species that cause serious infections in humans. An example of a difficult-to-treat fungus is Candida Auris (C. auris).

"Fungi have cellular machinery similar to that of humans. For this reason, drugs that kill fungi such as C. Auris have been developed.

Coordinated pesticide development and use

Resistance to treatments is strongly associated with the amount of each agent used, the authors wrote. They called for coordinated global regulation to slow the development of resistance to new antimicrobials.

"There is a need for a common antimicrobial approval process that includes a thorough assessment of potential environmental, human and animal health impacts. This is particularly true before new environmental and agricultural pesticide use," said Desai. She is an associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine.

Their report also noted the basis of the Drug and Pesticide Resistance Interagency and Effectiveness Group, a new entity under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is mandated to provide input on upcoming compounds proposed for registration, including potential implications for medical practice. The authors said similar efforts are needed on a global scale.

They found that shared decision-making among national and global regulators would be cost-effective. It can help avoid the more expensive and risky prospects of the rapid spread of resistant pathogens.

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