Latest news with #Blastomycosis
The Star
18-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Potentially deadly fungi are becoming drug resistant
They may not reach the level of triggering a zombie apocalypse as in 'The Last of Us', but many fungi are becoming increasingly resistant to the drugs used to treat them. — HBO/dpa Antifungal resistance – less discussed and less well-known than antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – is spreading and leaving people more vulnerable to related infections, some of which are deadly. These fungal infections, or mycoses, look little like the brain-controlling fungus that causes a zombie apocalypse in the hit TV series and video game The Last of Us , however, experts are warning that they pose a rising threat as fatal diseases spread in hospitals. 'Mycoses resistant to antifungal drugs are on the increase,' according to the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), which has linked the growing resistance to overuse and misuse of antifungal treatments. It is a similar story to AMR, which is when bacterial infections are not quelled by antibiotics. The spread of AMR has been accelerated by the overusage of antibiotics not only as medication, but also as ingredients in animal feed on farms. ALSO READ: Strong link between animal nutrition and human health 'Treatments against pathogenic fungi are used in agriculture, as well as in human and animal health,' the CNRS said, pointing out the 'identical resistance mechanisms' shared against antifungals and antibiotics. 'As is the case with over- prescribed antibiotics, to which bacteria have become resistant, the massive use of antifungals is leading to a gradual decline in their effectiveness,' the CNRS warned, pointing out that the World Health Organization (WHO) did not draw up a list of '19 particularly dangerous fungi' until 2022. 'The incidence and geographical range of fungal diseases are expanding worldwide,' according to the WHO, which, at the time, said antifungal resistance was the main cause of the expansion. The CNRS warned of infections caused by a common mould found in soil called Aspergillus, which can cause a lung disease dangerous to people with weak immune systems. 'Antimicrobial resistance is emerging in Aspergillus fumigatus ,' according to the US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). Other common fungi that cause diseases are Blastomycosis, which also affects lungs, and Candida auris , which the US CDC describes as 'a type of yeast that can cause severe illness and spreads easily among patients in healthcare facilities'. – dpa
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Last of Us' in real life? Deadly fungi are becoming drug resistant
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Antifungal resistance - less discussed and well known than antimicrobial resistance (AMR) - is spreading and leaving people more vulnerable to related infections, some of them deadly. These fungal infections, or mycoses, look little like the brain-controlling fungus that causes a zombie apocalypse in the hit series and video game "The Last of Us" - however experts are warning they pose a rising threat as fatal diseases spreading in hospitals. "Mycoses resistant to antifungal drugs are on the increase," according to the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), which has linked the growing resistance to overuse and misuse of antifungal treatments. It is a similar story to the causes of antimicrobial resistance - meaning when bacterial infections are not quelled by antibiotics - the spread of which has been accelerated by over-using antibiotics not only as medication but as ingredients in animal feed on farms. "Treatments against pathogenic fungi are used in agriculture as well as in human and animal health," the CNRS said, pointing out the "identical resistance mechanisms" shared by antifungals and antibiotics. "As is the case with over-prescribed antibiotics, to which bacteria have become resistant, the massive use of antifungals is leading to a gradual decline in their effectiveness," the CNRS warned, pointing out that the World Health Organization (WHO) did not draw up a list of "19 articularly dangerous fungi" until 2022. "The incidence and geographical range of fungal diseases are expanding worldwide," according to the WHO, which at the time said antifungal resistance was the main cause of the expansion. The CNRS warned of infections caused by a common mould found in soil called Aspergillus, and which can cause a lung disease dangerous to people with weak immune systems. "Antimicrobial resistance is emerging in Aspergillus fumigatus," according to the U.S government's Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC). Other common fungus-caused diseases are Blastomycosis, which also affects lungs, and Candida auris, which the CDC describes as "a type of yeast that can cause severe illness and spreads easily among patients in healthcare facilities."
CBC
03-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Closing arguments heard in $5B First Nations housing class action lawsuit
Chiefs and citizens from First Nations across Canada involved in a class action lawsuit against Canada for failing to provide adequate housing descended on Winnipeg this week to have their voices heard. The lawsuit, which was heard in Federal Court this week in Winnipeg, alleges Canada has "deliberately underfunded housing on reserves," while simultaneously isolating First Nations by imposing restrictions on their ability to provide housing for themselves. St. Theresa Point First Nation in Manitoba and Sandy Lake First Nation in northwestern Ontario filed the lawsuit in 2023. Over 100 First Nations have opted in to the class action. Elder Delores Fiddler of Sandy Lake First Nation was one of many to share the impact of the housing crisis has had on her family. Her 19-year-old granddaughter died from Blastomycosis, a fungal infection contracted by inhaling mould spores. "They did an autopsy on her. They told me why she died. She died of that mould. Do you guys have a mouldy house they told us? Yeah, it's all mouldy," said Fiddler. "We make a tent outside to have fresh air so we don't have to breathe in whatever is inside our home." Jonovan Flett, a father of two from St. Theresa Point, grew up in ten different houses in the community. Flett explained that he had to constantly move because everywhere his family ended up was overcrowded. "None of this is normal," said said Flett. "It's not normal for babies to be covered in rashes because their houses are infested with mould." Grand Chief Alex McDougall of Anisininew Okimawin, an organization that represents St. Theresa Point and other Anisininew Nations in the same region, said, the issue is a "longstanding failure" of the federal government and the provincial partners "who must be reminded of the sacred obligation embedded in our treaties." "Canada forced us onto the reserves, which were slivers of our traditional territories and they deprived us from maintaining our self-sustaining ways of life that have been practised by our ancestors for thousands of years," said co-lead plaintiff, Chief Raymond Flett of St. Theresa Point. "Now, Canada says it has no responsibility to provide housing on reserve." The class action is seeking $5 billion in damages. "The Plaintiffs urged the Court to recognize that the housing crisis on reserve is the direct result of state conduct, and asked the Court to recognize that Canada has a legal duty to take reasonable measures to ensure the Class has access to adequate housing," said Alana Robert, plaintiff's legal counsel, in an email sent to CBC Indigenous. Canada said in its statement of defense it acknowledges St. Theresa Point's claim that some housing sub-divisions lack running water and sewerage service today but that the claim should be dismissed. "Canada does not owe any legal obligations or duties to build and maintain houses on-reserve," the statement of defense read. The final arguments were heard on Thursday. A final decision is expected in the coming months.
