Mechanisms and distribution of acquired antimicrobial resistance in bacteria differ fundamentally from those in fungi
Herbert Hof#
MVZ Labor Limbach und Kollegen, Heidelberg, Germany
Resistance in fungi and bacteria: a discussion
The spectrum of clinically relevant fungi is changing rapidly, due to patient susceptibility, fungal resistance, and evolutionary events. The epidemic surge of severe mucormycotic infections associated with the Covid-19 pandemic is still fresh in our memory. The Sporothrix epidemic with changing transmission routes in Brazil, and the emergence of resistant Candida auris and dermatophytes are novel areas of concern. Already since two decades, antifungal resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is an increasing problem in the ICU. Resistance to commonly applied antifungals is also noted in other fungi. Various types of antifungal resistance are known, and the origin of acquired resistance differs with the natural habitat of the species concerned. Human and agricultural parameters impact resistance mechanisms and determine their speed, degree, and maintenance. Problems of multi-resistance are known already for decades in bacteria. Today, we witness an increase in the evolution of antimicrobial resistance at a speed that is not matched by the discovery of novel antibiotics; this poses an immense public health concern. Are the origins and mechanisms in fungi and bacteria comparable, and what can we learn from the experience elsewhere? In a comment, Herbert Hof states that the fungal problem is likely to remain less pressing than in bacteria. Ruoyu Li underlines that the major aim of comparison is to learn from each other, while Amir Seyedmousavi has the opinion that the problem in fungi is underestimated.
The journal provides a forum for diverse and opposing viewpoints while maintaining a commitment to editorial neutrality.
Sybren de Hoog, chief editor
#Correspondence:
herbert.hof@labor-limbach.de
Article info:
Received 28 October 2025
Revised 7 December 2025
Accepted 18 January 2026
Appeared online 24 January 2026
One Health Mycology 3(1): 1-10, 2026
doi.org/10.63049/OHM.26.31.1
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Cite this article:
Hof H 2026. Mechanisms and distribution of acquired antimicrobial resistance in bacteria differ fundamentally from those in fungi. One Health Mycology 3(1), 1-10
Keywords:
antifungal, resistance, plasmid, transposon, enzymatic modification of antifungals
Article highlights:
- Microbial enzymes destroying the antimicrobial drug prior to its action, the most relevant mechanism of acquired resistance in bacteria, do not play a role in fungi.
- Bacterial antibiotics resistance is are often coded on mobile genetic elements with horizontal transfer, while such options are less common in fungi.
- Hence, the question may brought up whether the problem of acquired resistance in fungi may reach similar levels as observed in bacteria.