Aspergillus and Aspergillosis in the Post-Pandemic Era

Aspergillosis is a group of diseases caused by Aspergillus infection or allergic reactions to the fungus. The severity ranges from mild allergic reactions to life-threatening invasive infections, depending on the patient's immune status. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the landscape of fungal infections, particularly those caused by Aspergillus species. In the post-pandemic era, aspergillosis has emerged as a major complication, driven by factors such as widespread corticosteroid use, immune dysregulation from SARS-CoV-2 infection, and disruptions in healthcare systems. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of aspergillosis. This review summarizes post-pandemic situations and advances in clinically relevant Aspergillus taxonomy and species complexes, emphasizing the diagnostic importance of cryptic species and robust molecular identification of functional genes during the biological development in the genus of Aspergillus. Moreover, challenges in the prevention against Aspergillus infections and perspectives for the discovery and development of novel antifungal strategies have been summarized and discussed.