The University of Exeter has launched a new Medical Mycology unit in Bangkok, Thailand, to combat a rising tide of life-threatening fungal infections across Asia.
Announced on November 9, 2026, the center aims to address the region’s unique climate-driven health challenges through integrated research, surveillance, and rapid diagnostic deployment.
- Early Detection: The unit will prioritize rapid point-of-care diagnostics to identify fungal pathogens before they become systemic.
- Climate Adaptation: Research will focus on how the region’s hot, humid conditions and extreme weather patterns accelerate the spread of fungal spores.
- Clinical Surveillance: The center will track emerging resistance to common antifungal medications, which currently complicates treatment for lung and bloodstream infections.
Asia accounts for more than half of the global population and bears a disproportionate burden of the 6.5 million life-threatening fungal infections occurring annually. According to data provided by the University of Exeter, these infections result in approximately 3.8 million deaths worldwide each year. The new CMM Southeast Asia Unit, established in partnership with Mahidol University, will serve as a hub for connecting regional medical centers to global research networks.
The initiative integrates the existing MRC Centre for Medical Mycology (CMM) at Exeter with specialized units in Cape Town and Sao Paulo. Professor Adilia Warris, Co-Director of the CMM, stated, “We’re proud to be working with our collaborators to launch the new Centre for Medical Mycology Unit in Southeast Asia.
This will create a global integrated network of medical mycology that disseminates state-of-the-art research and training, facilitating cutting edge science to tackle the key issues in the field, and to save lives.”
The center will focus on pathogens that are highly prevalent in the Southeast Asian environment. One primary target is Talaromycosis, a fatal systemic disease that causes roughly 17,000 cases and 5,000 deaths annually in the region. Clinical outcomes remain poor, with mortality rates reaching up to one-third of patients despite available treatment.
In India, the unit will address the prevalence of Mucormycosis, a condition associated with uncontrolled diabetes and corticosteroid use. The center aims to reduce the incidence of fungal keratitis, an eye infection affecting over one million people annually, 90 percent of whom reside in Asia. Agricultural workers are at the highest risk for this condition, which frequently leads to permanent blindness.
| Condition | Regional Impact | Primary Risk Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Talaromycosis | ~17,000 cases/year | Systemic infection |
| Mucormycosis | 70x higher incidence in India | Diabetes/Corticosteroids |
Professor Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti, Vice President for Global Partnerships at Mahidol University, emphasized the strategic nature of this expansion. “This joint centre reflects the shared commitment of Mahidol University and the University of Exeter to advancing fungal disease research and improving patient care,” she said. By combining regional clinical expertise with international research infrastructure, the partners aim to develop practical, scalable solutions for local healthcare systems.
Fungal infections often present with non-specific symptoms, such as persistent cough, fever, or vision changes. Patients with immunocompromising conditions—including those with uncontrolled diabetes, those undergoing chemotherapy, or individuals on long-term corticosteroid therapy—face higher risks of severe outcomes.
By expanding epidemiological surveillance, the center intends to provide regional health authorities with the data necessary to improve patient outcomes and drug efficacy.
