Serious Fungal Infections in Chile

The incidence and prevalence of fungal infections in Chile are unknown. Here, we have estimated the burden of serious fungal diseases from data obtained from clinical reports, WHO reports, Chilean census, OECD reports, and comprehensive literature search available on PUBMED, SCIELO, among other scientific resources. Due the lack of official data about fungal diseases, frequencies were calculated based on the specific populations at risk. Recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (>4 episodes/year) is estimated to occur in 3,108/100,000. Using a low international average rate of 5/100,000, we estimate 878 candidaemia cases, and 132 patients with intra-abdominal candidiasis. Due to the low incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in Chile, limited numbers of patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis are likely – a total of 1,212, 25% following TB. Invasive aspergillosis is estimated to affect 296 patients following leukaemia therapy, transplantation and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 1.7/100,000. In addition, Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) and Severe Asthma with Fungal Sensitization (SAFS) were estimated to be around 97.9/100,000 and 127/100,000 respectively, in 675,772 adult asthmatics and 1,700 CF patients. Given a 38,000 HIV population, with around to 2,189 new cases of AIDS annually, cryptococcal meningitis and Pneumocystis pneumonia are estimated at 0.12/100000 and 4.3/100,000. In total, 325,000 (1.9%) people in Chile develop serious fungal infections annually. Respiratory fungal disease predominates in Chile; a national action plan for fungal disease is urgently needed, including epidemiological studies to validate the estimates.