A study published by the University of Manchester revealed that a deadly fungus known as Aspergillus could cause a serious global health threat. The fungus can reportedly infect and kill humans from the inside out under certain conditions.
According to a report published by National Library of Medicine (NLM), Aspergillus is a group of filamentous fungi that are commonly found in soil, decaying plants, seeds, grains and indoor environments. Due to their tiny size, most people usually inhale its microscopic spores daily without getting sick, however, people with weakened immune systems are prone to develop aspergillosis, a potentially fatal lung infection.
Inhaling Aspergillus fumigatus spores (conidia) into the lungs may cause multiple diseases, which depend on the immunological status of the host in humans. These diseases include invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, aspergilloma and different forms of hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic asthma, hypersensitivity, pneumonitis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, revealed NLM.
When the infection becomes invasive, Aspergillus can affect the lungs as well as other organs, leading to invasive aspergillosis. The mortality rate for this condition is shockingly high, around 85.2%. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared Aspergillus flavus a critical fungal threat, citing its drug resistance and global prevalence.
Climate Change Could Accelerate Issue
The study published by University of Manchester says that climate change could be worsening the situation. Under this scenario, the spread of Aspergillus flavus, for example, could increase by about 16%, putting 1 million more people at risk of infection in Europe, reported India Today. Infections affect the respiratory system and this fungus infects a broad range of agricultural crops.
The predictions also show that the spread of another fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, could increase by 77.5% and potentially expose 9 million people in Europe.
Norman van Rhijn, co-author of the study said, “Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread."
“Fungi are relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites,” added Rhijn saying, “but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future.”
Aspergillus’s resistance to antifungal drugs makes it even more concerning. Some species, like Aspergillus fumigatus, have evolved to withstand standard treatments, making infections nearly incurable in some cases. Early detection and development of new treatments can prevent this emerging health threat.
