Group photograph of delegates and course instructors on the Medical Mycology course, University of Cape Town, 2025 (Photographer: Je’nine May)
Twenty-four clinicians and laboratory technicians have enrolled in a bespoke training programme designed to strengthen the diagnosis and treatment of deadly fungal diseases.
With infections soaring globally and two million deaths every year, the programme was hugely oversubscribed as health professionals urgently seek to master early detection techniques that can save lives.
Fungal infections pose a significant and growing threat to global health, with the heaviest burden falling on low- and middle-income countries. The increasing number of new fungal cases appearing in hospitals worldwide is deeply alarming. The challenge is not only the severity of these infections but the difficulty in timely identification and accurate diagnosis.
Early detection is critical; knowing whether a patient has a fungal infection is often the first step toward effective treatment. Now, for the second time, an interactive and practical course in Medical Mycology brings together clinicians and laboratory technicians. The course is designed to equip both groups with the skills to identify, diagnose, and treat fungal infections, while also fostering mutual understanding of each other’s roles and the unique challenges they face. By learning side by side, participants gain insight into the diagnostic and treatment processes from both clinical and laboratory perspectives, improving collaboration and resulting in improved patient outcomes.
To address this critical need, the University of Exeter Centre for Medical Mycology Africa Unit, based at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, together with Insititut Pasteur, hosted a second interactive course in Medical Mycology, led by internationally recognised and renowned experts in the field. This state-of-the-art, fully funded training course brought together clinicians and technologists from across Africa and Asia to enhance their skills in diagnosing and managing fungal infections, to address this rapidly growing and critically under-recognised global health challenge.
Professor Claire Hoving, Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town and Centre for Medical Mycology Africa Unit Lead, stated: “This workshop marks another pivotal step forward in building regional expertise to combat fungal infections, fostering collaborations that will improve patient outcomes and strengthen health systems globally.”
The course featured dynamic lectures, practical laboratory sessions, and case-based discussions, all designed to build capacity in regions where fungal diseases pose an increasing threat to human health. Delegates engaged with experts on critical fungal pathogens, antifungal resistance issues, diagnostic innovations, and treatment strategies, gathering practical knowledge directly applicable to their local settings.
Prof. Olivier Lortholary, Professor of Medicine and Deputy Director of the National Reference Centre for Invasive Mycoses and Antifungals and Translational Mycology Research Group, Institut Pasteur, Paris highlighted the importance of such capacity-building efforts: “With fungal diseases rapidly emerging as urgent threats worldwide, especially in resource-limited settings, this training equips clinicians and laboratory technologists with the tools and knowledge to diagnose these infections earlier and implement effective treatment options at a critical stage, significantly improving patient outcomes.”
This training attracted overwhelming international interest, with applications far exceeding available places, underscoring the urgent need for expanded education and awareness of these life-threatening fungal infections amongst clinicians and diagnostic laboratories. This important initiative was made possible through funding from key supporters, including the FAILSAFE Project, the Centre for Medical Mycology Africa Unit, the NIHR Global Health Group IMPRINT project and associated NIHR CADA IMPRINT, and the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre.
Dr. Madalo Colleta Phiri, from the Public Health Institute of Malawi–Public Health Reference Laboratories and a participant in the course, highlighted the profound impact this training has had on both their professional work and future aspirations. They said: “Working in diagnostics, our focus has largely been on bacterial resistance, often overlooking antifungal resistance, which is increasingly posing a serious threat to patients. Through this course, I have gained valuable knowledge about fungal disease detection, enabling me to better educate colleagues at my institution and improve patient outcomes in Malawi.”
As fungal pathogens continue to threaten global health, with increasing resistance and life-threatening disease burdens, the knowledge and skills cultivated during this course will support clinicians and laboratory technicians from across Africa in their fight against these deadly infections.
For more information on this course, visit: www.FAILSAFE.com
We use cookies to give you the best experience of our website. By browsing you agree to our use of cookies.