Introduction

Environmental changes have been recognized to exert significant effects on microbial infections in general and those caused by fungi in particular. Environmental factors, such as climate changes, global population movements, demographic changes and niche encroachments have implications expressed in different epidemiological patterns, in changes of pathogenic flora in various clinical entities, which in turn may lead to the necessity of different therapeutic approaches. In a broader context, fungal infections causing mass mortality in animals have a significant impact on human wellbeing. It is, thus, of importance to expose professionals in the fields of infectious diseases and clinical microbiology/mycology to updated information on these topics, as will be presented in the Symposium by leading authorities.