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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42069084 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2026.101128

Indian Fungal Infection National Declaration (I-Find).

Indian J Med Microbiol

Authors: Vinaykumar Hallur, Jayanthi Savio, Shukla Das, Malini R Capoor, Vijaylatha Rastogi, Pratibha Kale, Gagandeep Singh, Savitri Sharma, Harsimran Kaur, Priyadarshini Padaki, Archana Keche, Anup Ghosh, Shivaprakash M Rudramurthy, David Denning, Arunaloke Chakrabarti

Affiliations

  • Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences & GTB Hospital: Delhi, Delhi, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital: New Delhi, Delhi, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College: Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences: New Delhi, Delhi, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, India.
  • Director Emeritus, Laboratory Services - LVPEI Network, L V Prasad Eye Institute: Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
  • Department of Medical Microbiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research: Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, St. Johns Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
  • Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
  • Department of Medical Microbiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research: Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India.
  • Department of Medical Microbiology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research: Chandigarh, Chandigarh, India.
  • Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
  • Doodhadhari Burfani Hospital and Research Institute, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Serious fungal diseases are significant yet long neglected public health problem in India, setting an estimated 4.1% of the population and with the mortality from invasive fungal diseases approaching 50%, surpassing several nationally prioritised conditions. The emergence and spread of drug resistant pathogens such as Candida auris, azole resistant Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton indotineae together with COVID-19 associated mucormycosis epidemic, expose critical gaps in preparedness prevention and care despite the presence of a WHO collaborating centre and an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) mycology Advanced Mycology Diagnostic and Research Centre network, major deficiencies persist in surveillance, diagnostics, antifungal access, stewardship, workforce, capacity and coordinated research OBJECTIVES: The Indian Fungal Infection National Declaration (I- FIND) seeks to catalyse a structured, time bound national response that elevates fungal diseases to a recognised public health priority and measurably reduces morbidity, mortality, and fungal resistance. Its objectives are to identify and target key at risk populations (including those with immunosuppression, critical illnesses, chronic lung disease and poorly controlled diabetes, to acknowledge major community mycoses such as chronic dermatophytosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and fungal keratitis, and to define clear domains for action across governance, surveillance, diagnostics, clinical management, research, workforce development, public awareness, One Health, and accountability.

CONTENT

I- FIND identifies 9 core domains, including governance, surveillance, diagnostics, clinical management, research, workforce development, public awareness, One Health measures, and accountability. Proposals cover creating a National Task Force, issuing a five-year fungal disease control strategy, integrating mycology network, setting diagnostic standards, incorporating stewardship and prioritizing translational research funding. The declaration is supported by major Indian and international professional societies guides formal adoption and implementation across India.

MeSH

Mycology, Mortality, Epidemiology, Public Health, Drug Therapy, Microbiology, Mycoses, Diagnosis, Research, Candida, Infections, Workforce