Fungal diseases pose an increasing threat to public health for several reasons. Opportunistic infections such as cryptococcosis and aspergillosis are becoming increasingly problematic as the number of people with weakened immune systems rises -- this includes cancer patients, transplant recipients, and people with HIV/AIDS. Hospital-associated infections such as candidemia are a leading cause of bloodstream infections in the United States. Advancements and changes in healthcare practices can provide opportunities for new and drug-resistant fungi to emerge in hospital settings. Community-acquired infections such as coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), blastomycosis, and histoplasmosis, are caused by fungi that are abundant in the environment. These types of fungi live in the soil, on plants, or in compost heaps, and are endemic (native and common) throughout much of the U.S. Climate change may be affecting these fungi, as even small changes in temperature or moisture can affect their growth.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection