Emerging fungal pathogens: Dr. Nancy Wengenack

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, and Nancy Wengenack, Ph.D., director of the Mycology and Mycobacteriology Laboratories at Mayo Clinic, discuss the increased focus on fungi and why emerging fungal infections can be concerning for health care facilities.

Specific topics of discussion include:

• How fungi work inside and outside of the body.
• If it’s possible for fungal infections to turn animals, insects, and humans into zombies, as seen on the fictional show “The Last of Us.”
• Why emerging fungal pathogens like Candida auris are problematic.
• Laboratory diagnostics for fungal infections.