Claudia Cafarchia (March 14, 1961 – January 18, 2025)
Professor Claudia Cafarchia (March 14, 1961 – January 18, 2025) passed away unexpectedly on a cold and rainy Saturday evening, January 18, 2025, just after the holiday season. Her departure, though sudden, was in keeping with the way she lived—vibrant, bold, and full of life, always accompanied by her infectious laugh and boundless energy. She left us amidst a birthday celebration, a moment as joyful and lively as she had been throughout her personal and professional journey.
Claudia was a committed member of the International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) and played a key role as a founding member of the ISHAM-Veterinary Mycology and One Health Working Group. Additionally, she served as an editor for the journal Medical Mycology from 2018 until her passing in January 2025.
Born in Domodossola, Italy, in 1961, Claudia’s family soon relocated to Bari in southern Italy, where she flourished in her career. She began in 1994 as a Technologist in food hygiene at the Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Bari Aldo Moro. However, this role could not contain her boundless curiosity and proactive spirit. Claudia’s true passion was research, particularly in the field of mycology. Just a year later, she moved to the Veterinary Parasitology Unit, where she became a pioneer in veterinary mycology, founding a new laboratory and utilizing her extensive microbiology experience from her work at the Hygiene Institute at the Medical School of the University of Bari. This was the foundation for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of mycology. In 2004, Claudia was appointed as a Veterinary Mycology Researcher. She was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015, and in 2023, the Department established its first-ever Full Professor position in Mycology, a position created in honor of her remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication to her profession.
For over 30 years, Claudia worked tirelessly to establish a mycology program at the University of Bari. When she began, veterinary mycology was only taught at a handful of Italian universities—Bologna, Pisa, and Torino. She devoted her entire research and teaching career to advancing this field in Italy. Claudia’s legacy in academia lives on through the countless colleagues and students she mentored throughout her career.
Claudia made significant contributions to the field by authoring over 100 scientific papers, along with several book chapters and expert review articles for numerous prestigious, peer-reviewed scientific journals. In October 2004, she published the groundbreaking study on the “Association between phospholipase production by Malassezia pachydermatis and skin lesions” (Cafarchia C & Otranto D. J Clin Microbiol., 2004;42(10):4868-9). This study marked the beginning of her enduring passion for Malassezia, a subject she often described as her “obsession.”
Claudia’s research was pivotal in advancing our understanding of fungal infections in both animals and humans. Over the course of her studies, she identified key risk factors for Malassezia species infections in dogs, cats, and humans, and explored the pathogenic potential of these yeasts in causing skin and bloodstream infections in both animals and humans (Rhimi W et al., Med Mycol., 2022;61(1):myad003). She also investigated molecular epidemiology and antifungal resistance in dermatophytes (Aneke CI et al., Antibiotics (Basel), 2021;10(3):296), as well as the role of birds and wild animals as disseminators of pathogenic yeasts (Rhimi et al., Int Microbiol., 2021;24(1):57-63, & Rhimi W., Acta Trop., 2022;231:106472). Claudia’s research further addressed exposure to Aspergillus species in poultry farms and the health risks associated with farm workers’ exposure (Cafarchia et al., J Med Microbiol., 2014;63(Pt 3):464-470). She also explored the antifungal potential of essential oils, medicinal plant extracts, and peptides for controlling fungal infections, highlighting the synergistic effects of plant extracts when combined with antifungals (Rhimi et al., Antibiotics (Basel), 2022;11(6):829). More recently, Claudia contributed to the discovery of Candida auris in an Egyptian cobra in Morocco, shedding light on the potential role of snakes as reservoirs for this pathogen (Cafarchia et al., Med Mycol., 2024;62(7):myae056).
Her unwavering passion and significant contributions to the fields of medical and veterinary mycology led to her invitation to become a member of the ISHAM-Veterinary Mycology/One Health, Fungal Diagnostics, and Malassezia Epidemiology and Pathobiology Working Groups, as well as the Board of the Federation of Human and Animal Mycopathology (FIMUA). In addition to her contributions to journal Medical Mycology of ISHAM, Claudia was deeply engaged in editorial work. She served as Editor for Antibiotics and as an Editorial Board member for Veterinary Microbiology and Mycoses. Her international recognition grew through invaluable collaborations with esteemed colleagues worldwide. She was invited to serve as faculty in prestigious ISHAM international veterinary mycology courses, including those in Turin, Italy (2015), and Amsterdam, the Netherlands (2018).
Throughout her career, Claudia shared her knowledge selflessly and with humility, truly embodying the spirit of a dedicated researcher. Her work was always fueled by enthusiasm and warmth, with a motherly kindness that reflected her southern Mediterranean roots. No matter the challenges she faced, Claudia remained joyful and ever-smiling—a testament to her unwavering positivity and dedication as both a woman and a scientist.
Claudia Cafarchia epitomized the essence of a researcher: curious, humble, and always open to collaboration. Yet, beyond her scientific and academic legacy, she leaves us with cherished memories of her boundless optimism and her infectious laugh, which will forever echo in the hearts of those fortunate enough to have shared even a part of their lives with her.
On behalf of all her colleagues and friends at the University of Bari, Italy, the ISHAM Scientific Working Groups, and the Editorial Board of Medical Mycology, we honor and remember Claudia Cafarchia. Her contributions to the field of mycology, her dedication as a mentor, collaborator, and colleague, and her unwavering positivity have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her and working with her.
Domenico Otranto. DVM, PhD, D(EVPC), F(RES) Department of Veterinary Medicine University of Bari, Italy& Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, City University of Hong Kong. domenico.otranto@uniba.it
Amir Seyedmousavi. DVM, PhD, D(ABMM). F(ECMM) Microbiology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, U.S.A. seyedmousavi@nih.gov
