Fungal biofilms in human health and disease.

MRCM have made an important contribution to this review in the prestigious journal Nature Reviews: Microbiology. Link to review

The rise in implanted medical devices, immunosuppressant use, and an ageing population has led to an increase in fungal biofilm-related infections. The WHO now recognizes fungi as an emergent health threat, with many species classified as critical or high-priority due to their ability to form biofilms.

Fungal biofilms, which develop on surfaces like catheters or within body cavities, are difficult to detect, remove, and resistant to antifungal treatments, leading to severe patient outcomes such as prolonged hospital stays, reoperations, and increased morbidity and mortality.

This review explores the growing impact of fungal biofilms on patient care, their underlying mechanisms, and potential therapeutic strategies to combat them.