Deadly tree fungus first identified in humans
Miscellaneous / / April 02, 2023
Have you watched The Last of Us? So.
In one of the regions of India, a 61-year-old man contracted a fungal disease that is considered fatal to trees and plants. This is the first such case in the world. His study published in Science Direct.
The patient sought medical attention with a number of different symptoms: hoarseness in the throat, fatigue, cough, and difficulty in swallowing. A chest x-ray taken at the hospital revealed nothing, but a CT scan of the neck showed an abscess, from which a sample was then taken and sent for analysis.
After several unsuccessful attempts to identify strains in pus, the analysis was redirected to the WHO Collaborating Center for Fungal Research. It was here that the DNA was sequenced and the purple chondrostereum (Chondrostereum purpureum) was identified.
This fungus infects plants and trees and causes a deadly disease called silver leaf.
Patient
denied, which could come into contact with such a plant pathogen, although it worked just mycologist. The team of researchers is sure that he picked up the disease in the immediate vicinity of the fungus.In recent decades, new fungi have made the leap to become human pathogens. The World Health Organization currently lists 19 fungal threats to human health, four of which are listed as "Critically Priority Pathogens". Among them:
- Aspergillus fumigatus, which can kill 47-88% of those infected;
- Candida albicans, which is more common and kills 20-50% of infected people;
- Cryptococcus neoformans, leading to brain damage;
- Candida Auris, which eludes antifungals especially well.
A patient from India was treated with antifungal drugs and was able to fully recover. However, scientists note that this case is reminiscent of the growing danger of fungal diseases.
The aggravation of global warming and other activities of civilization opens a Pandora's box for new fungal diseases. A few heat-resistant fungi with pathogenic potential can acquire the ability to survive at human body temperature. This threat is increasing as some species may take advantage of natural selection and adaptation strategies.
Researchers working with the patient
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