Invasive fungal infections are increasing globally. Over 300 million people suffer from a serious fungal infection worldwide, and of these 1 million go blind and 1.35 million die annually.
In Australia, fungal infections tend to strike immune-compromised people, including the critically ill, and are a major cause of morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalisation times and substantial socioeconomic impacts. Better, faster diagnostics, better targeted therapeutic strategies and more effective, less toxic drugs are needed to improve outcomes.
Our group has a strong track record over 20 years in research into the pathogenesis, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical features and outcomes of invasive disease due to the serious fungal pathogens Cryptococcus and Candida.
Our research has led to the development and evaluation of new, more rapid, diagnostic platforms using microbial gene products and microbial metabolite fingerprints for fungal diseases. We have also identified new targets for antifungal drug development.