A global call for talaromycosis to be recognised as a neglected tropical disease

Shanti Narayanasamy, Vu Quoc Dat, Nguyen Tat Thanh, Vo Trieu Ly, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Chuanyi Ning, Hao Liang, Linghua Li, Anuradha Chowdhary, Sirida Youngchim, Khuanchai Supparatpinyo, Ne Myo Aung, Josh Hanson, Alex Andrianopoulos, John Dougherty, Nelesh P Govender, David W Denning, Tom Chiller, Guy ThwaitesH Rogier van Doorn, John Perfect, Thuy Le

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Talaromycosis (penicilliosis) is an invasive mycosis that is endemic in tropical and subtropical Asia. Talaromycosis primarily affects individuals with advanced HIV disease and other immunosuppressive conditions, and the disease disproportionally affects people in low-income and middle-income countries, particularly agricultural workers in rural areas during their most economically productive years. Approximately 17 300 talaromycosis cases and 4900 associated deaths occur annually. Talaromycosis is highly associated with the tropical monsoon season, when flooding and cyclones can exacerbate the poverty-inducing potential of the disease. Talaromycosis can present as localised or disseminated disease, the latter causing cutaneous lesions that are disfiguring and stigmatising. Despite up to a third of diagnosed cases resulting in death, talaromycosis has received little attention and investment from regional and global funders, policy makers, researchers, and industry. Diagnostic and treatment modalities remain extremely insufficient, however control of talaromycosis is feasible with known public health strategies. This Viewpoint is a global call for talaromycosis to be recognised as a neglected tropical disease to alleviate its impact on susceptible populations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e1618-e1622
JournalThe Lancet Global Health
Volume9
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Keywords

  • Asia/epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Mycoses/classification
  • Neglected Diseases/classification
  • Public Health/classification
  • Tropical Medicine/classification

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