The role of medical mycology societies in combating invasive fungal infections in low- and middle-income countries: A Nigerian model

The discipline of medical mycology has become increasingly relevant in the face of the rising incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), which pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for contemporary medical practice. While firmly established in developed countries, medical mycology remains obscure in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With a teeming vulnerable populace and an incidence rate of 11.8%, Nigeria has one of the highest estimated burdens of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in the world. Regardless, the scourge of IFIs has remained silent due to a combination of factors principal amongst which are a lack of awareness and dearth in personnel skilled in diagnosis. The present narrative examines the status of medical mycology practice in Nigeria and chronicles the journey to change the status quo spurred by the Leading International Fungal Education (LIFE)-facilitated burden estimate paper and culminating in the birth of the Medical Mycology Society of Nigeria (MMSN), the pioneer national medical mycology society in Africa. The prospects of tackling the IFI challenge are highlighted from the perspective of the nascent society.