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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
Climate change may fuel spread of fungi that could 'eat you from inside out'
As Covid-19 cases begin to rise again in parts of the world, including India, there's another silent but serious health threat emerging, this time from the fungal kingdom. The rising global temperatures could accelerate the fungi capable of eating you from inside out. A new climate modelling study by researchers at the University of Manchester shows that rising temperatures could dramatically alter the spread of Aspergillus, a group of airborne fungi known to cause severe respiratory infections in humans and widespread damage to crops. Published on the preprint platform Research Square, the study titled Climate change-driven geographical shifts in Aspergillus species habitat and the implications forplant and human health maps how the geographical range of three major Aspergillus species could expand significantly by year 2100, exposing millions more people to the risk of infection, especially across Europe and Asia. Why are Aspergillus fungi a growing concern? The Aspergillus genus includes several common environmental fungi found in soil, compost, and air. While generally harmless to healthy people, they can cause aspergillosis, a serious respiratory infection, in those with weakened immune systems. These fungi are also notorious for spoiling crops and producing dangerous mycotoxins. But here's the real problem — they're evolving. Rising global temperatures and widespread use of agricultural fungicides are helping these pathogens become more heat-tolerant and resistant to antifungal drugs, leaving doctors with fewer tools to treat infections. How rising temperatures increase fungal risks Using global climate models and species distribution tools, the University of Manchester team simulated how suitable habitats for Aspergillus fungi will shift under three scenarios, including low, intermediate, and high warming. Impact in a low warming scenario (below 2°C): Minimal changes in habitat range for Aspergillus species, and the spread is relatively contained. Impact in intermediate warming (2.5–3°C by 2100): Noticeable spread of fungal pathogens into new regions, especially in the Northern Hemisphere. Impact in high warming (around 4°C by 2100): Significant and rapid expansion of Aspergillus habitats, particularly A. flavus and A. fumigatus, into Europe, North Asia, and North America, putting millions at increased risk. ALSO READ | Why scientists are especially alarmed by these findings Antifungal resistance: A. flavus, in particular, is already resistant to many existing treatments. Lack of medical tools: There are no vaccines, diagnostics are limited, and antifungal options are few. Dr Norman van Rhijn, lead author of the study, explains in a statement, 'We've already seen the emergence of Candida auris due to rising temperatures, but this is just the beginning. These maps show how fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future. Raising awareness and developing effective interventions is essential.' Fungi are shifting toward the Northern Hemisphere According to the study, the biggest changes will happen in the Northern Hemisphere. Europe and North Asia: Projected to see the largest increase in fungal suitability due to milder climates becoming warmer. Africa and South America: Paradoxically, these regions could become too hot for fungi like A. flavus to survive — threatening ecosystems that rely on fungi to decompose organic matter and regulate the carbon cycle. The study shows a striking poleward shift: fungi are moving north, where millions more people could be exposed. Climate change threatens food security via fungal spread The study highlights that A. flavus and A. niger are major crop pathogens, especially for maize, rice, and grapes. The research warns of: Reduced habitat suitability in current crop-growing zones Increased risk of contamination in new areas Food insecurity due to loss and spoilage of yields Antifungal resistance is also being driven by overuse of fungicides in agriculture, which compromises both plant and human health. Why fungal threats are difficult to fight Unlike bacteria, fungi are biologically closer to humans, meaning antifungal drugs often have toxic side effects. Plus, only a tiny fraction of the estimated 1.5 to 3.8 million fungal species have been studied, and less than 10 per cent have been sequenced genetically. How to prepare for a warming-driven fungal threat According to the study and public health experts: Accelerate climate action to limit warming and slow fungal spread Invest in fungal diagnostics, surveillance, and treatments Improve awareness among healthcare workers and the public Develop sustainable farming practices to reduce fungicide-driven resistance Fungi may not make daily headlines like viruses do, but they are quietly becoming one of the most dangerous climate-driven health threats of our time. As global warming accelerates their spread and evolution, ignoring them is no longer an option. For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS
India Today
7 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Fungus that could eat you from inside out spreads faster amid climate change
A recent study by researchers at the University of Manchester has raised alarms about the increasing threat of fungal infections due to climate study indicates that rising global temperatures are helping dangerous fungi, particularly species of Aspergillus, to spread into new geographic areas, potentially putting millions more people at INFECTIONS ON THE RISE Fungal infections have historically been under-recognised in public health discussions, said the the new study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, stressed their growing significance. Aspergillus fumigatus, a common mold that can cause severe respiratory infections, is projected to expand its range by up to 77% in Europe by 2100 if current warming trends expansion could expose an additional nine million people to potential Aspergillus flavus, known for producing harmful aflatoxins affecting crops, could see a 16% increase in its spread, putting one million more individuals at risk in Europe fungi are quite dangerous for people with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, or people with chronic respiratory can lead to serious illnesses like aspergillosis, which, if not promptly diagnosed and treated, can be CHANGE AS A CATALYSTadvertisementThe study emphasises that climate change is a prominent factor in the proliferation of these fungal pathogens. Infections can lead to serious illnesses like aspergillosis, which, if not promptly diagnosed and treated, can be fatal. () Warmer temperatures and changing environmental conditions create more hospitable habitats for fungi, allowing them to thrive in regions previously unsuitable for their shift not only increases the risk of human infections but also threatens global food security due to the impact on IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENTOne of the pressing concerns highlighted by the researchers is the limited availability of effective antifungal treatments and diagnostic fungal infections are difficult to detect early, and the existing antifungal medications are often less effective due to rising World Health Organisation has recognised Aspergillus flavus as a critical public health threat because of its resistance to treatment."We've already seen the emergence of the fungus Candida auris due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information of how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment. Fungi are relatively under-researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future. Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this," said Dr. Norman van Rhijn. The World Health Organisation has recognised Aspergillus flavus as a critical public health threat because of its resistance to treatment. () Aspergillus is a common fungus that lives in soil and spreads tiny spores through the air. We breathe in these spores every day, and for most healthy people, they don't cause any harm because the immune system clears them for people with lung problems like asthma or cystic fibrosis, or those with weak immune systems such as cancer patients, transplant recipients, or those recovering from severe flu or Covid, these spores can be dangerous.'When the immune system can't fight them off, the fungus begins to grow inside the body and, to put it bluntly, it can start eating you from the inside out,' van Rijn told infection, known as aspergillosis, has a high death rate between 20% to 40%. It's also hard to diagnose, since it often causes symptoms like fever and cough, which are common in many other is also a concerning trend since there's a rise in antifungal resistance and a severe lack of diagnostics and treatment options for fungal findings of the study call for urgent action to address the looming threat of fungal infections exacerbated by climate the planet continues to warm, the spread of deadly fungi like Aspergillus species emerges as a growing threat to global Watch
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Toxic Fungi Could Threaten Millions of Lives Within 15 Years
Here's what you'll learn in this story: A new study analyzing different climate scenarios discovered that toxic fungi will likely spread into new areas in the future, possibly threatening millions. Life-sustaining fungi that break down plant and animal matter could also be at risk of extinction in some of the warmest regions of the Earth—particularly on the African continent. It's estimated that scientists have only cataloged about 10 percent of all fungi on Earth, so unknown surprises would likely be in store as fungi spread beyond their historic regions. When writing about climate, lots of ink—or pixels, in a 21st-century context—is spent talking about the potentially devastating impacts that climate change will have on plant and animal life. However, little is mentioned about the kingdom Fungi. Hundreds of thousands of species of fungi have been described, but that's likely only 10 percent of the total number of fungal species that exist on Earth. These species include everyone's delicious favorites, but also some more dangerous species that can cause toxic infections in animals and agricultural crops. So, in a new study from the University of Manchester, scientists asked the question of what rising global temperatures could mean for the proliferation of some of these meaner mycelia. In a paper published on the preprint platform ResearchSquare, Norman van Rhijn, the lead author of the study, and his team describe what our fungal future has in store. 'Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread,' van Rhign said in a press statement. 'We've already seen the emergence of the fungus Candida auris due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information of how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment.' The researchers analyzed the effects of rising temperatures on infection-causing fungi using different climate scenarios up to the year 2100. The study showed that within 15 years, if the world still relies on mostly fossil fuels instead of clean energy, fungi like Aspergillus flavus—a cause of agricultural rot that also produces mycotoxins that are harmful to mammals—will spread by 16 percent, which would put an additional 1 million people at risk of infection in Europe alone. This is largely because A. flavus is more thermotolerant than other fungi, meaning that it can thrive in hot, humid climates where other fungi simply could not. Unfortunately, this proliferation is relatively tame compared to Aspergillus fumigatus, which would increase its range by 77.5 percent and put an additional nine million people in Europe at risk under this worst-case scenario. While described as a weak pathogen in previous studies, A. fumigatus can cause a severe or even fatal infection for people with immune deficiencies. 'Fungi are relatively under researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future,' van Rhign said in a press statement. 'Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this.' While the spread of these toxic fungi—whose infections are hard to avoid, as they mostly travel in the air we breathe— the inverse may also be a cause for concern. Some life-sustaining fungi, responsible for breaking down plant and animal matter, may not be able to survive in some of the hottest parts of the world (especially on the African continent). It's basically a one-two punch of bad news. Additionally, the study only examined the roughly 10 percent of the fungi we know about, so even more infections or health concerns could arise from surprising sources currently unknown to us. Though it has yet to be peer-reviewed, the paper details compelling evidence that our fungal future is a dismal one unless we seriously curtail carbon emissions in the coming years. Transitioning to a clean energy future is the best path forward—for all of the plants, animals, and overlooked fungus among us. You Might Also Like Can Apple Cider Vinegar Lead to Weight Loss? Bobbi Brown Shares Her Top Face-Transforming Makeup Tips for Women Over 50
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
An Apocalypse of Toxic Fungi Could Threaten Millions of Lives Within 15 Years
Here's what you'll learn in this story: A new study analyzing different climate scenarios discovered that toxic fungi will likely spread into new areas in the future, possibly threatening millions. Life-sustaining fungi that break down plant and animal matter could also be at risk of extinction in some of the warmest regions of the Earth—particularly on the African continent. It's estimated that scientists have only cataloged about 10 percent of all fungi on Earth, so unknown surprises would likely be in store as fungi spread beyond their historic regions. When writing about climate, lots of ink—or pixels, in a 21st-century context—is spent talking about the potential devastating impacts that climate change will have on plant and animal life. However, little is mentioned about the kingdom Fungi. Hundreds of thousands of species of fungi have been described, but that's likely only 10 percent of the total number of fungal species that exist on Earth. These species include everyone's delicious favorites, but also some more dangerous species that can cause toxic infections in animals and agricultural crops. So, in a new study from the University of Manchester, scientists asked the question of what rising global temperatures could mean for the proliferation of some of these meaner mycelia. In a paper published on the preprint platform ResearchSquare, Norman van Rhijn, the lead author of the study, and his team describe what our fungal future has in store. 'Changes in environmental factors, such as humidity and extreme weather events, will change habitats and drive fungal adaptation and spread,' van Rhign said in a press statement. 'We've already seen the emergence of the fungus Candida auris due to rising temperatures, but, until now, we had little information of how other fungi might respond to this change in the environment.' The researchers analyzed the effects of rising temperatures on infection-causing fungi using different climate scenarios up to the year 2100. The study showed that within 15 years, if the world still relies on mostly fossil fuels instead of clean energy, fungi like Aspergillus flavus—a cause of agricultural rot that also produces mycotoxins that are harmful to mammals—will spread by 16 percent, which would put an additional 1 million people at risk of infection in Europe alone. This is largely because A. flavus is more thermotolerant than other fungi, meaning that it can thrive in hot, humid climates where other fungi simply could not. Unfortunately, this proliferation is relatively tame compared to Aspergillus fumigatus, which would increase its range by 77.5 percent and put an additional nine million people in Europe at risk under this worst-case scenario. While described as a weak pathogen in previous studies, A. fumigatus can cause a severe or even fatal infection for people with immune deficiencies. 'Fungi are relatively under researched compared to viruses and parasites, but these maps show that fungal pathogens will likely impact most areas of the world in the future,' van Rhign said in a press statement. 'Raising awareness and developing effective interventions for fungal pathogens will be essential to mitigate the consequences of this.' While the spread of these toxic fungi—whose infections are hard to avoid, as they mostly travel in the air we breathe— the inverse may also be a cause for concern. Some life-sustaining fungi, responsible for breaking down plant and animal matter, may not be able to survive in some of the hottest parts of the world (especially on the African continent). It's basically a one-two punch of bad news. Additionally, the study only examined the roughly 10 percent of the fungi we know about, so even more infections or health concerns could arise from surprising sources currently unknown to us. Though it has yet to be peer-reviewed, the paper details compelling evidence that our fungal future is a dismal one unless we seriously curtail carbon emissions in the coming years. Transitioning to a clean energy future is the best path forward—for all of the plants, animals, and overlooked fungus among us. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
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
