Medical Mycology in the Orient: Where Are We Going?

Bulmer, Glenn S

Abstract

Medical mycology has gone through five distinct eras: 1) Fungi causing dermatophytoses, 2) Discovery of rare and fatal systemic mycoses, 3) Realization that fungi cause common and subclinical diseases, 4) AIDS and the era of the compromised host, 5) Broad-spectrum antifungals with few side effects. I think that most would agree that the developed countries are in stages 4 & 5. But which one of these eras are we in now in the Orient? From my 35 years experience of working and living here I believe we still live in all of these eras. In developing countries we have a few very advanced medical centers that are on the cutting edge of technology. But, what about the rural and poorer sections of our countries? The places where modern medicine is not available at a price our citizens can afford. Are we by passing these areas in our excitement to join the biotechnology race in the world? I know that in many places this is true. National pride can cover national shame. For the remaining time I will discuss some of the diseases that we should be looking at from a different perspective. What is needed in these areas of our countries? How can we approach these problems so that all our citizens gain from our advanced technology? How can we use the modern high technology advances in medicine to the best advantage of all our people? It is very difficult to know where we are going until we know from where we came.