review · Medical Mycology
Candida glabrata, also known as Nakaseomyces glabrata, is an increasingly prevalent fungal pathogen responsible for severe invasive infections. A systematic review of clinical and microbiological evidence between 2011 and 2021 was conducted to support the World Health Organization Fungal Priority Pathogen List. The analysis highlights that infections disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals, including people who have diabetes, compromised immune systems, or those receiving chemotherapy or broad-spectrum antibiotics. These infections carry high mortality rates, yet data regarding long-term complications remain limited. While the pathogen generally remains susceptible to amphotericin and flucytosine, resistance to azoles is frequent, and resistance to echinocandins is rising. The overall incidence of disease is growing, appearing closely linked to widespread antifungal use, while preventative measures remain limited to standard infection control.
Invasive fungal infections represent a mounting global health emergency with limited treatment options. As Candida glabrata develops resistance to primary antifungal therapies, treating vulnerable hospitalised patients becomes significantly more challenging. Identifying resistance patterns and disease burdens helps public health organisations and research bodies direct funding towards urgent diagnostic tools, novel therapeutics, and enhanced infection prevention programmes to reduce patient mortality.
The abstract does not describe a direct commercial product, but rather surveillance evidence that defines public health priorities. For diagnostic developers and pharmaceutical companies, these findings highlight a clear clinical demand for novel antifungal drugs that bypass azole and echinocandin resistance, as well as rapid resistance-profiling diagnostics. Any potential solutions informed by this priority list remain at an early research and development stage.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Recognising the growing global burden of fungal infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) established an advisory group consisting of experts in fungal diseases to develop a Fungal Priority Pathogen List. Pathogens were ranked based on their research and development needs and perceived public health importance using a series of global surveys and pathogen characteristics derived from systematic reviews. This systematic review evaluates the features and global impact of invasive disease caused by Candida glabrata (Nakaseomyces glabrata). PubMed and Web of Science were searched for studies reporting on mortality, morbidity (hospitalization and disability), drug resistance (including isolates from sterile and non-sterile sites, since these reflect the same organisms causing invasive infections), preventability, yearly incidence, diagnostics, treatability, and distribution/emergence in the last 10 years. Candida glabrata (N. glabrata) causes difficult-to-treat invasive infections, particularly in patients with underlying conditions such as immunodeficiency, diabetes, or those who have received broad-spectrum antibiotics or chemotherapy. Beyond standard infection prevention and control measures, no specific preventative measures have been described. We found that infection is associated with high mortality rates and that there is a lack of data on complications and sequelae. Resistance to azoles is common and well described in echinocandins-in both cases, the resistance rates are increasing. Candida glabrata remains mostly susceptible to amphotericin and flucytosine. However, the incidence of the disease is increasing, both at the population level and as a proportion of all invasive yeast infections, and the increases appear related to the use of antifungal agents.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae041
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
