New Pesticides May Fuel Rise in Untreatable Fungal Infections
Experts Warn of Global Resistance Crisis Demanding Unified Action
The widespread use of new agricultural pesticides could inadvertently worsen the growing threat of drug-resistant fungal infections in humans and animals, according to a new warning from leading infectious disease specialists. A coordinated global strategy is urgently needed to prevent a looming public health crisis.
Alarming Link Between Agriculture and Human Health
George Thompson, a professor at the UC Davis School of Medicine, and Angel Desai, an associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, detailed their concerns in a commentary published in the New England Journal of Medicine. They argue that the drive to develop new fungicides for crop protection may accelerate the development of resistance to antifungal medications used to treat life-threatening infections.
“Antimicrobial resistant pathogens are a constant reminder for us to use agents judiciously,”
—George Thompson, Professor
The authors draw parallels to the overuse of antibiotics in livestock, which led to the rapid emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They fear a similar scenario unfolding with antifungals. According to the CDC, fungal infections are becoming increasingly common and are now estimated to cause nearly 1.7 million deaths globally each year. CDC Fungal Disease Statistics
The ‘One Health’ Approach
Thompson and Desai advocate for a “One Health” approach—a collaborative, multidisciplinary strategy that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. This framework emphasizes that changes in one area can have cascading effects on the others. Climate change and increased global travel are also contributing to the spread of fungal pathogens.
The rise of difficult-to-treat fungi, such as Candida auris (C. auris), is particularly concerning. Thompson explained, “Fungi have similar cellular machinery to that of humans. This is why medications that kill fungi like C. auris often have side effects for people. With few antifungals to choose from during clinical care, preventing resistance is of paramount importance.”
Call for Global Regulation
The authors stress that the amount of antifungal agents used directly correlates with the development of resistance. They call for coordinated global regulation of pesticide development and use, including a thorough assessment of potential impacts on human and animal health before large-scale agricultural applications.
“There is a need for a shared antimicrobial approval process that includes a thorough assessment of potential impacts on the environment and human and animal health. This is especially true before any new large-scale environmental and agricultural pesticide use,”
—Angel Desai, Associate Professor
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Interagency Drug and Pesticide Resistance and Efficacy Workgroup is a positive step, but similar efforts are needed worldwide. Shared decision-making among regulatory agencies, the report concludes, would be a cost-effective way to mitigate the risks associated with rapidly spreading resistant pathogens.
