Emerging Fungal Pathogens in Wildlife: a systematic review of Veterinary Implications and One Health Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5380/avs.v31i1.101497Keywords:
emerging mycoses, wildlife health, One Health, veterinary diagnostics, fungal pathogens.Abstract
Emerging fungal pathogens represent a growing threat to global biodiversity, animal health, and public health, particularly in wildlife populations where outbreaks can lead to significant ecological and veterinary consequences. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the diversity, epidemiology, and pathogenic mechanisms of emerging fungi affecting wild species, while exploring their implications for veterinary medicine and One Health. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025, focusing on fungal pathogens in wildlife, diagnostic challenges, host–pathogen interactions, and environmental drivers of disease emergence. Key examples include Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in amphibians, Pseudogymnoascus destructans in bats, and Paranannizziopsis spp. in reptiles, which collectively highlight how environmental change, anthropogenic activity, and global trade facilitate the spread and evolution of pathogenic fungi. These infections often present diagnostic difficulties due to nonspecific clinical signs, require advanced molecular and histopathological tools for confirmation, and frequently demand multidisciplinary management strategies. From a One Health perspective, emerging mycoses in wildlife not only disrupt ecosystems but also pose zoonotic and conservation challenges, emphasizing the need for enhanced surveillance, intersectoral collaboration, and integrative research approaches. By consolidating current evidence, this review underscores the critical role of veterinary professionals in early detection, diagnosis, and management of fungal diseases in wildlife and advocates for proactive strategies to mitigate their broader ecological and public health impacts.
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