# Interconnected worlds: a comprehensive review of fungal defenses, antimicrobial resistance, and their evolutionary dynamics

**Authors:** Yuan Sui, Mir Muhammad Nizamani, Entaj Tarafder, Hai-Li Zhang, Qian Zhang, Krishnendu Acharya, Jit Sarkar, Ghulam Muhae-Ud-Din, Yong Wang

PMC · DOI: 10.3897/imafungus.17.171995 · IMA Fungus · 2026-01-27

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how fungi develop resistance to drugs and suggests ways to tackle this growing problem globally.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive synthesis of fungal defense mechanisms and proposes interdisciplinary strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.

## Key findings

- Fungal resistance involves cell wall integrity, efflux pumps, and adaptive responses.
- Evolutionary factors like horizontal gene transfer play a role in resistance development.
- Global coordination and sustainable practices are needed to address antimicrobial resistance.

## Abstract

Fungal defense mechanisms and antimicrobial resistance to therapeutic remedies represent a complex and evolving challenge. This review explores the multifaceted processes that determine fungal resistance and covers cellular, evolutionary, and global aspects. Key factors, such as cell wall integrity, efflux pumps, and adaptive responses, are examined, along with interdisciplinary analytical techniques used to elucidate defense mechanisms. Evolutionary drivers, including natural selection and horizontal gene transfer, are also discussed. The review emphasizes the importance of global coordination, personalized medicine, ethical principles, and sustainable practices in both healthcare and agriculture to address the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance to therapeutic drugs. It synthesizes existing literature and offers recommendations for future research and initiatives designed to support a global effort capable of proactively addressing antimicrobial resistance and overcoming fungal defense mechanisms, thereby mitigating their impact on human health and food production.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** fungal (MESH:D009181)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

5 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13034067/full.md

## References

226 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13034067/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13034067