The Future of Fungal Diagnostics: What’s next in laboratory testing for invasive fungal infection?

Abstract

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is responsible for millions of deaths globally each year. Prompt diagnosis of IFI is critical, with delay associated with increased mortality. Traditional, culture-based diagnostics are relatively slow and insensitive. Novel molecular techniques, biomarkers and point-of-care tests hope to overcome these limitations. However, these newer methods come with issues of cost, accessibility, and standardisation. This review briefly lays out the current diagnostic landscape, highlights important changes to standards of care, then explores new developments and the future of fungal laboratory diagnosis.