Latest news with #Aspergillusfumigatus
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
'World near tipping point': Study warns about a deadly fungus that could kill millions
A new study has raised concerns about the possible spread of a deadly fungus across Europe, Asia, and the Americas due to rising global temperatures. The fungus, Aspergillus, thrives in warm and damp environments and could cause severe lung infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic respiratory illnesses. Risk of infection linked to warming climate Researchers say that Aspergillus could expand its reach as temperatures rise, making millions more vulnerable to its effects. The fungus is already known to grow in compost and other high-temperature settings. Its ability to survive at 37°C, the temperature inside the human body, allows it to infect the lungs of susceptible individuals. While not everyone who inhales its spores falls ill, people with asthma, cystic fibrosis, or weakened immunity are more likely to be affected. A global shift in species distribution Norman van Rhijn, a co-author of the study, warned that the world was approaching a "tipping point" regarding fungal pathogens. "We're talking about hundreds of thousands of lives, and continental shifts in species distributions. In 50 years, where things grow and what you get infected by is going to be completely different," Van Rhijn told the Financial Times. Live Events The study noted that Aspergillus fumigatus could potentially spread to 77% more territory by 2100 if fossil fuel use continues at the current rate. This would put an estimated nine million people in Europe at risk of exposure. Limited understanding of fungal pathogens Scientists say the danger is made worse by the fact that fungi are one of the least understood groups of organisms. Only around 10% of the estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species have been properly identified, and very few have had their genomes sequenced. "Its lifestyle in the natural environment may have provided Aspergillus fumigatus with the fitness advantage needed to colonise human lungs," said Professor Elaine Bignell, co-director at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at Exeter University. Drug development lags behind Despite the potential threat, investment in antifungal medicines has been slow. Scientists say this is due to high development costs and low expected returns, making it a less attractive area for pharmaceutical companies. The study also mentioned the fungus's ability to survive in extreme conditions, including the radioactive environment inside Chernobyl's nuclear reactors, which underlines its resilience.
NBC News
09-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Fungal infections are getting harder to treat
Fungal infections are getting harder to treat as they grow more resistant to available drugs, according to research published Wednesday in The Lancet Microbe. The study focused on infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that is ubiquitous in soil and decaying matter around the world. Aspergillus spores are inhaled all the time, usually without causing any problems. But in people who are immunocompromised or who have underlying lung conditions, Aspergillus can be dangerous. The fungus is one of the World Health Organization's top concerns on its list of priority fungi, which notes that death rates for people with drug-resistant Aspergillus infections range from 47%-88%. The new study found that the fungus's drug resistance is increasing. On top of that, patients are typically infected with multiple strains of the fungus, sometimes with different resistance genes. 'This presents treatment issues,' said the study's co-author, Jochem Buil, a microbiologist at Radboud University Medical Centre in the Netherlands. Buil and his team analyzed more than 12,600 samples of Aspergillus fumigatus taken from the lungs of patients in Dutch hospitals over the last 30 years. Of these, about 2,000 harbored mutations associated with resistance to azoles, the class of antifungals used to treat the infections. Most of them had one of two well-known mutations, but 17% had variations of these mutations. Nearly 60 people had invasive infections — meaning the fungi spread from the lungs to other parts of the body — 13 of which were azole-resistant. In these people, nearly 86% were infected with multiple strains of the fungi, making treatment even more complicated. 'It is an increasingly complicated story and physicians may have trouble identifying whether or not they are dealing with a drug-resistant fungal infection,' said Dr. Arturo Casadevall, chair of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who wasn't involved with the research. Before treating an Aspergillus fungal infection, doctors look for resistance genes that can give them clues about which drugs will work best. If someone is infected with multiple strains of the same type of fungus, this becomes much less clear-cut. Oftentimes, different strains will respond to different drugs. 'Azoles are the first line of treatment for azole-susceptible strains, but they do not work when a strain is resistant. For those, we need to use different drugs that don't work as well and have worse side effects,' Buil said, adding that some people will require treatment with multiple antifungal drugs at the same time. The findings illustrate a larger trend of growing pressure on the few drugs available to treat fungal infections — there are only three major classes of antifungal drugs, including azoles, that treat invasive infections, compared with several dozen classes of antibiotics. Resistance to these drugs is growing, and new ones are uniquely difficult to develop. Humans and fungi share about half of their DNA, meaning we're much more closely related to fungi than we are to bacteria and viruses. Many of the proteins that are essential for fungi to survive are also essential for human cells, leaving fewer safe targets for antifungal drugs to attack. 'The big problem for all of these fungal species is that we don't have a lot of antifungals,' said Jarrod Fortwendel, a professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, who was not involved with the research. 'Typically the genetic mutations that cause resistance don't cause resistance to one of the drugs, it's all of them, so you lose the entire class of drugs.' Further complicating matters, the vast majority of azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus stems from agriculture, where fungicides are widely used. These fungicides typically have the same molecular targets as antifungal drugs. Farmers spray them on crops, including wheat and barley in the U.S., to prevent or treat fungal disease. (The first instance of azole resistance was documented in the Netherlands, where antifungals are widely used on tulips.) Aspergillus fungi aren't the target, but exposure to these fungicides gives them a head start developing genes that are resistant to these targets, sometimes before an antifungal drug with the same target even hits the market. This was the source of the vast majority of the drug resistance analyzed in the study. Fortwendel noted that fungal resistance is increasingly found around the world. 'Basically everywhere we look for drug-resistant isotopes, we find them,' he said. 'We are seeing this azole drug-resistance happening throughout the U.S. Those rates will likely climb.' Any individual person's risk of having an azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus is low, Casadevall said. Infections typically affect people who are immunocompromised and amount to around a few thousand cases per year in the U.S., Casadevall estimated. While relatively uncommon, the bigger risk is the broader trend of drug-resistant fungal infections. 'The organisms that cause disease are getting more resistant to drugs,' he said. 'Even though it's not like Covid, we don't wake up to a fungal pandemic, this is a problem that is worse today than it was five, 10 or 20 years ago.'
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GMA Network
20-06-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Kapampangan dish, burong isda, study reveals probiotics, anti-fungal properties
Limosilactobacillus fermentum colonies on agar, derived from burong isda. (Photo credit: Joshua Veluz) A childhood Kapampangan delicacy — burong isda (fermented fish) — served as inspiration of one scientist to pursue studies on the health benefits of Filipino traditional fermented foods. Author Joshua Veluz, from UP Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) National Sciences Research Institute (NSRI), a Kapampangan whose curiosity was whetted by the dish that he ate as a child, its cultural significance and health benefits. He began his study in 2019. 'This personal and academic connection made the study deeply meaningful to me,' he was quoted as saying. With Veluz, the other authors are Paul Christian Gloria and Dr. Maria Auxilia Siringan of UPD-CS NSRI, and Dr. Irineo Dogma Jr. of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). The researchers from UPD-CS combined genomic and laboratory analyses to provide a comprehensive probiotic profile of two L. fermentum strains in burong isda that showed the strains' antifungal benefits against Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus), which is one of the most common fungi affecting immunodeficient individuals. "A key characteristic of probiotics is their ability to survive the harsh conditions of the digestive system. They discovered that while these strains may struggle to grow in highly acidic environments like the stomach, they had no difficulty growing in less acidic conditions, as in most parts of the gastrointestinal tract," according to the press release from the UPD-CS. "Furthermore, the researchers discovered that the strains carry several genes known to help boost the host's immune system, along with genes related to producing essential vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, and B9. The strains were also found to be non-pathogenic and have a very low potential to transfer antimicrobial resistance genes." Veluz also said 'the strains produce compounds that inhibit the growth of certain fungi known to cause infections.' The researchers, UPD-CS said, are exploring additional probiotic properties of the strains and assessing their stability to ensure they can be safely used for future health applications. 'We aim to further characterize their functional traits and contribute to the growing field of probiotic research in the Philippines, especially using OMICs,' concluded Veluz. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
News18
19-06-2025
- Health
- News18
What Is Aspergillus Fumigatus? All About The Deadly Fungus Spreading In US
Last Updated: A dangerous fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus is rapidly spreading throughout the United States. A dangerous fungus is making headlines in the US for its alarming ability to invade the human body and destroy tissue from within. Identified as Aspergillus fumigatus, this fast-spreading pathogen has scientists concerned, especially as warmer temperatures could accelerate its growth. What Is This Deadly Fungus And How Can You Stay Safe From It? Here's What You Need To Know Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus that spreads through the air, releasing microscopic spores known as conidia. These spores are so small that people often inhale them unknowingly. Common in the environment, this fungus can be found in soil, decaying plants, and even household dust. The National Library of Medicine notes that it grows best at around 37°C and can thrive in warm, moist settings. Remarkably, it can even survive in compost piles at temperatures exceeding 120°F for extended periods. While most individuals' immune systems can fight off the spores without issue, some people, especially those with weakened immunity, can develop a severe lung condition known as aspergillosis. In extreme cases, this infection can progress to organ failure and become fatal. Who Could Become Infected? Reportedly, those most vulnerable to infection include individuals with weakened immune systems. This includes people undergoing cancer treatment, those with asthma or HIV, individuals with low white blood cell counts, and those recovering from recent illnesses like the flu. Health officials note that tracking the fungus is challenging, as aspergillosis is not a reportable disease – its cases, hospitalisations and deaths aren't officially recorded. Around 40,000 cases progress into chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, a long-lasting lung infection. Though invasive aspergillosis is rare, it poses a greater threat by spreading from the lungs to organs like the brain, heart and kidneys. How To Stay Safe From Aspergillus Fumigatus Infection To reduce the risk of infection, doctors are said to have recommended that people with weakened immune systems steer clear of soil, gardening, and environments with mould. It's also advised to wear masks in dusty places and ensure clean, filtered air, especially in hospitals and at home. In response, hospitals in affected states have already started conducting mould inspections and implementing antifungal safety protocols.
News18
18-06-2025
- Health
- News18
What Is Aspergillus Fumigatus? Deadly Fungus Spreading In US That ‘Eats You From Inside Out'
Last Updated: Aspergillus Fumigatus is now being detected with increasing frequency in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and California. Health experts are raising concerns over the rapid spread of a deadly airborne fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, across parts of the United States. The pathogen, which causes a potentially fatal lung infection called aspergillosis, poses a heightened threat as rising temperatures create ideal conditions for its growth, experts warned. The fungus is now being detected with increasing frequency in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Georgia and California- states where warm and humid environments allow it to thrive- Daily Mail reported. The World Health Organization labeled Aspergillus fumigatus a 'critical priority" pathogen, citing its growing resistance to treatment and high mortality rates. What Is Aspergillus Fumigatus And Its Symptoms? Once inhaled, the fungus can lead to serious respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems or pre-existing lung conditions. Symptoms can escalate rapidly, potentially resulting in organ failure or death, especially among cancer patients, transplant recipients and those recovering from severe influenza. Individuals undergoing chemotherapy, long-term corticosteroid therapy or AIDS patients are considered especially vulnerable. The fungus is commonly found in soil, compost piles and damp environments, where it can survive temperatures as high as 120°F. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued precautionary advice to reduce the risk of exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus. While these measures cannot guarantee full protection, they are recommended- especially for those with weakened immune systems or existing respiratory conditions, the health body said. The CDC advises people to avoid dusty areas such as construction sites. If exposure is unavoidable, wearing an N95 mask is recommended. During outdoor activities like gardening, individuals should wear long-sleeved clothing, full-length pants and closed-toe shoes and ideally avoid direct contact with soil or compost. In case of any cuts or abrasions, the area should be washed immediately with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection. About the Author Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: June 18, 2025, 22:22 IST
