Deadly fungus could spark health concern in parts of the US: Experts sound alarm
Aspergillus, a common but potentially deadly fungus, may spread across parts of the US, Europe, and Asia due to rising global temperature, researchers have warned.
A new study foresees a dramatic increase in infection rates of the deadly fungus that is known to affect the respiratory system and damage lungs.
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Aspergillosis, caused by a mold or fungus, can turn life-threatening, particularly for immunocompromised people. It may also impact crops, animals, and ecosystems. While most healthy people are unaffected by inhaling its spores, experts in the new research published in pre-print (not yet peer-reviewed) on Research Square, warn that a warming climate could expand its reach, causing a rise in infection rates, and strain medical systems.
The study also mentions the projected year when the fungus prevalence will grow drastically. According to researchers, the deadly infection may rise by 77% by the year 2100, exposing millions of people in Europe to the infection.
'The study indicates that some global climate change scenarios will result in changes of habitat ranges for certain lung and systemic
,' Jacob Glanville, CEO of Centivax, a San Francisco biotechnology company, told Fox News.
'Given that Aspergillus is prevalent in the environment and ongoing changes in climate favor growth of Aspergillus in the environment, it is likely that levels of human exposure will continue to increase, as will diseases of plants, crops and animals,' Cornelius Clancy, MD, associate chief of the VA Pittsburgh Health System and opportunistic pathogens at the University of Pittsburgh told Fox News Digital.
Who is at risk?
Aspergillus spores aren't a threat for healthy people, but for those who are immunocompromised.
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People who are receiving chemotherapy may face a risk of the spores affecting their lungs and causing Aspergillus pneumonia or other lung infections, which can spread in the blood to other organs, according to Clancy.
'If your immune system is intact, then these spores are usually removed by immune system cells in the airways and lungs and disease does not occur," Clancy said.
But for people whose immune systems respond excessively to proteins in the spores, infection can cause reactions ranging from allergy-like symptoms to invasive disease.
'In persons who are immunosuppressed, such as those receiving cancer chemotherapy, there is a risk of spores invading the lungs and causing Aspergillus pneumonia or other lung infections, which can then spread in the blood to other organs,' Clancy cautioned.
Elderly or asthmatic
Older people or people with pre-existing respiratory diseases like asthma may be at a higher risk of complications from the fungal infection.
According to mayoclinic, some people with asthma or cystic fibrosis have an allergic reaction to aspergillus mold. Signs and symptoms of this condition, known as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, may include fever, a cough that brings up blood or plugs of mucus, and worsening asthma.
Some fungi may also become resistant to drugs over time, according to experts.
Immunosuppressed people should be the most cautious group as per experts and they must talk to their healthcare experts for protective measures.
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