A deadly fungus that eats away at people's organs from the inside is spreading in the US
Aspergillus fumigatus is a dangerous airborne fungus that destroys human tissue. It is increasingly being detected in the United States, especially in humid regions, warns Hindustan Times.
Photo: Aspergillus Fumigatus © Katerynakon | Dreamstime.com
A deadly fungus that can destroy human tissue is rapidly spreading across the United States. Experts warn that the situation could get worse as the weather heats up. The fungus is called Aspergillus fumigatus. It is airborne. Its spores are so small that people inhale them without even realizing it.
This fungus can cause a lung infection known as aspergillosis. For people with weakened immune systems, the disease can cause organ failure and even death. Those at increased risk include those with cancer, asthma, or HIV.
On the subject: Deadly and treatment-resistant fungus is spreading rapidly across the US
According to scientists, the fungus is actively spreading in some parts of the United States, especially in warm and humid states such as Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and California. Under threat, the Daily Mail reports, are large cities with high population density and old buildings, in particular New York, Houston and Los Angeles.
Aspergillosis is not a notifiable disease in the United States, so there are no official statistics on the number of people infected or dying. This makes it difficult to assess the scale of the problem.
People with weakened immune systems should be careful
Doctors recommend that people with weakened immune systems avoid contact with soil and mold. Avoid gardening. Wear masks in dusty areas and keep the air in homes and hospitals clean. U.S. health care facilities have begun testing for mold more often and using stronger antifungal medications.
The Aspergillus fungus produces a toxin called aflatoxin. It can cause cancer and damage the lungs, liver, stomach, spleen, intestines, and kidneys.
A University of Manchester scientist has said the fungus could change the way plants grow and the patterns of infectious diseases in humans over the next 50 years, putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk.
About 400 people fall ill with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis every year. A more dangerous form of the disease, invasive aspergillosis, is less common but often fatal. It mainly affects people with weakened immune systems and can spread to the brain, heart, and kidneys.
One study found that only 59% of organ transplant patients survived a year after becoming infected with invasive aspergillosis. Among stem cell transplant patients, the figure was only 25%.
From 2000 to 2013, the number of hospitalizations in the United States due to invasive aspergillosis increased by about 3% annually. By 2014, there were nearly 15 such hospitalizations. Treatment cost about $1,2 billion. Autopsies of intensive care unit patients show that aspergillosis is among the four most deadly infections.
Aspergillus fumigatus is a serious threat
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Aspergillus fumigatus as one of the most dangerous fungi, as it is becoming increasingly drug-resistant and kills thousands of people every year. The fungus thrives in warm, humid environments and can also survive in compost heaps at temperatures above 50°C.
Climate change is making the human body a more suitable environment for the fungus to grow. According to a new study from the University of Manchester, if humanity continues to burn fossil fuels at current rates, the fungus could increase in prevalence by 2100% by 75. This would put millions of people at risk, especially in the southern US.
Azole drugs are often used to treat fungal infections, but they are widely used in agriculture to protect crops. Experts believe that overuse of these drugs on farms contributes to the development of resistance in the fungus, causing the drugs to stop working.
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Studies have found azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in farm soil in at least seven U.S. states. Many of these fungi are already resistant to common antifungal drugs. Scientists warn that mixing different types of fungi is making the problem worse.
The WHO calls for immediate action: developing new drugs, faster diagnostic methods, improving the skills of doctors and medical personnel. The agency strongly recommends that pharmaceutical companies pay more attention to developing drugs for fungal diseases.
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