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Prof Atul Khajuria,
Tapaswi Ram Khajuria,
KIRAN KUMARI,
- Dean, Faculty of Allied and Health Care Sciences, Department of Allied and Health Care Sciences, Rayat Bahra Professional University VPO BOHAN, Tehsil & Distt. Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India
- Retd. Lecturer, Lecturer Education Dept., Department of Education, Govt. Higher Sec School, Barola Udhampur, J&K, India
- Retd. Govt. Master, Education Dept., Department of Education, Govt. High School Pachote, Chenani, Udhampur, J&K,
Abstract
Fusarium species are emerging opportunistic pathogens in humans, responsible for a wide spectrum of infections ranging from superficial keratitis and onychomycosis to life-threatening disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts. Historically regarded as plant pathogens and environmental saprophytes, these hyaline moulds have become clinically relevant with the increasing use of intensive chemotherapy, haematopoietic stemcell and solidorgan transplantation, and widespread use of broadspectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids. In India, Fusarium assumes particular importance due to high rates of agricultural and ocular trauma, climatic factors favouring mould growth, and a substantial burden of diabetes and other immunosuppressive conditions. Clinically, fusariosis presents along a continuum: localized keratitis following corneal trauma or contact lens wear, cutaneous and nail infections often linked to trauma or occlusive footwear, sinusitis and pneumonia in structurally abnormal lungs, and disseminated infection in neutropenic or otherwise severely immunocompromised patients. Disseminated fusariosis carries high mortality despite aggressive antifungal therapy, reflecting the intrinsic resistance of many Fusarium species to multiple antifungal classes and the crucial role of immune reconstitution in outcome. Indian case series from tertiarycare centres have highlighted a changing epidemiology, with an increasing proportion of invasive disease in oncology and transplant populations, alongside a continuing burden of keratitis, particularly in South India. Diagnosis relies on a combination of direct microscopy, culture, histopathology, and increasingly molecular methods that can distinguish among Fusarium species complexes with differing antifungal susceptibility patterns and clinical behaviour. Treatment remains challenging due to variable and often high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to amphotericin B and triazoles, necessitating individualized regimens, combination therapy in selected cases, and surgical interventions such as debridement or keratoplasty. This structured review summarizes the taxonomy, ecology, pathogenesis, clinical spectrum, and diagnostic approach to Fusarium infections, with a special emphasis on Indian clinical and epidemiological data, antifungal resistance, and practical management strategies relevant to dermatologists, microbiologists, and physicians. The review also presents tabulated data on Indian case series, species distribution, antifungal susceptibility, and treatment outcomes to guide contextappropriate clinical decisionmaking.
Keywords: -Fusariosis, Opportunistic fungal infections, Fusarium species complexes (FSSC, FOSC, FFSC),Antifungal resistance,Keratitis and onychomycosis and Disseminated fungal infection.
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International Journal of Pathogens
| Volume | 03 | |
| 02 | ||
| Received | 22/04/2026 | |
| Accepted | 29/05/2026 | |
| Published | 20/07/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 89 Days |