International Journal of Fungi

Dermatophytes, belonging to the family Arthrodermataceae, are keratinophilic fungi responsible for superficial mycoses. Dermatophytoses affect the skin, hair, and nails globally. Over the last few years, dermatophytic infections have seen a sharp rise in India, with the main causative agent being antifungal-resistant Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VIII.

One of the most diverse and functionally versatile groups of living organisms, fungi has played a significant role in maintaining ecological balance, human well-being, agricultural production, and industrial processes. Despite their vast potential, the use of fungi systems in solving some of the most serious challenges facing the world today, such as climate change, food security, and AMR, is still in its infancy.

The marine environment, representing the largest and most extreme biome on Earth, serves as an unparalleled reservoir of biodiversity. Within this vast ecosystem, marine fungi have emerged as a prolific source of structurally diverse and pharmacologically active secondary metabolites.

Histoplasmosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the thermally dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Infection is acquired primarily by inhalation of infectious microconidia and may range from asymptomatic infection to severe disseminated disease.

The fungal kingdom represents an indispensable resource in modern therapeutics and biotechnology, offering a diverse array of bioactive compounds, probiotics, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Functional fungal polysaccharides (FFPs), such as beta-glucans, chitin, and mannans, are centrally involved in modulating the human gut microbiota, providing novel therapeutic avenues for chronic conditions including diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer.

Fungal-derived nutraceuticals represent a rapidly expanding field in biomedical research, offering a rich source of bioactive compounds with diverse therapeutic applications