Chapter 1 - Human pathogenic microbes (bacterial and fungal) and associated diseases

Abstract

Human pathogenic microorganisms represent a socioeconomic burden and a major public healthcare issue. All the leading human bacterial and fungal pathogens have been found to be associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity affecting millions of individuals around the globe. These pathogens have evolved different mechanisms to escape the host immune responses and become more virulent and resistant to different antimicrobial drugs due to continuous mutations. Although a wide range of drugs and vaccines are currently available to eradicate these infections, a proper knowledge and understanding about these lethal organisms is very much required for the development of novel control and treatment strategies. In the chapter, we will be providing a detailed outlook of the leading human bacterial and fungal pathogens and the various diseases caused by them. Moreover, the human–pathogen interaction will also be discussed with a broad outlook and perspectives on these human pathogenic organisms.