Fungal Dx 26

 Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce FungalDx26, which will take place on December 2–4, 2026, in Bethesda, MD, USA.

Following the resounding success of FungalDx24 and our recent Pre-ISHAM 2025 Workshop, FungalDx26promises to deliver yet another dynamic and engaging postgraduate event, featuring cutting-edge developments in the field of fungal diagnostics.

New for FungalDx26:
We are excited to introduce the submission of case report abstracts. Selected abstracts will be featured in real-case scenario panel discussions, where authors will actively participate as part of the presentation team. This new format is designed to foster interactive learning and highlight practical approaches to complex diagnostic challenges. 

Target Audience

This interactive postgraduate event is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge and expertise in fungal diagnostics. The event is particularly relevant for:

• Physicians and trainees in infectious diseases, critical care, transplantation, hematology-oncology, dermatology, pediatrics, and other specialties managing fungal infections
• Clinical microbiology laboratory directors and consultants
• Clinical microbiology fellows (CPEP, ACGME)
• Clinical laboratory scientists specializing in diagnostic microbiology/mycology
• PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in relevant fields
• Scientists from the infectious disease in vitro diagnostics (IVD) industry or pharmaceutical sector

FungalDx2026 offers a unique opportunity to gain practical, up-to-date insights into the diagnosis and management of fungal infections. Participants will learn how to select the most appropriate diagnostic tests, interpret results accurately, and choose optimal antifungal therapies—including both current treatment options and emerging agents. The program also emphasizes adapting diagnostic strategies to both high-resource and resource-limited settings.

In addition to the main congress program, a post-congress postgraduate workshop entitled “Diagnostic Mycology in Veterinary Practice & One Health” will be held on December 4, 2026, from 1:00–5:30 PM. Organized in collaboration with the ISHAM Veterinary Mycology & One Health Working Group, this half-day educational workshop will address zoonotic fungi and veterinary mycoses, with a focus on the diagnosis of fungal infections in animals, surveillance, emerging threats, and One Health implications. The workshop is designed for trainees and professionals in veterinary and medical mycology and aims to enhance understanding of diagnostic approaches, antifungal resistance, epidemiology, and infection prevention at the animal–human–environment interface. 

We look forward to welcoming you to FungalDx26 for another milestone event in fungal diagnostics.

Sincerely,

FungalDx26 Co-Chairs

▪ Prof. Dr. Amir Seyedmousavi, NIH, Bethesda, USA 

▪ Prof. Dr. Malcolm Richardson, University of Manchester, UK

FungalDx26 is a unique opportunity to gain practical, up-to-date   insights into the diagnosis and management of fungal infections. The event will explore how to choose the most appropriate diagnostic tests,  accurately interpret results, and select optimal antifungal therapies—ranging from current treatment options to novel agents in development. Attendees will also learn how to adapt diagnostic strategies to both high-resource and resource-limited clinical settings.

The program includes 10 scientific sessions over two days, led by internationally recognized experts. Each session begins with a real-world case study, followed by an interactive discussion centered on key diagnostic algorithms and clinical decision-making flowcharts. These sessions are designed to benefit both clinical microbiologists and healthcare professionals managing fungal infections across various specialties.

Topics will include:

• Practical algorithms for the diagnosis and surveillance of fungal infections
• Advances in fungal taxonomy and nomenclature
• Epidemiology and the global burden of fungal diseases
• Direct microscopic examination of clinical specimens
• Culture methods, cytology, and histopathology
• Serologic testing, antigen detection, and point-of-care diagnostics
• Molecular identification techniques and MALDI-TOF for yeasts and molds
• Applications of molecular diagnostics and diagnostic metagenomics in      clinical mycology
• Antifungal susceptibility testing, including both phenotypic methods and molecular detection of resistance
• Emerging antifungal therapeutics
• Infection prevention and control strategies for medically important fungi
• The role of diagnostic laboratories in fungal outbreak  investigations

In addition to the scientific sessions, the event emphasizes applied learning through case-based discussions and peer exchange, ensuring participants leave with actionable knowledge and tools to improve patient outcomes.