Latest news with #aspergillosis
News.com.au
25-05-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Global warning over fungi ‘that could eat you from inside out'
Researchers have warned that a mysterious fungi that kill millions of people worldwide each year may soon spread significantly further - including in Australia. In a chilling echo of the popular video game TV series adaptation The Last of Us – a post-apocalyptic story about survival in a world ravaged by a fungal infection – the fungi could soon spread across North America, Europe, China and Russia. That's according to scientists from Manchester University who used computer simulations to forecast how Aspergillus, a group of fungi that can cause a life-threatening lung disease called aspergillosis, may move globally. The new Manchester University study, which has yet to be peer-reviewed, studied three pathogenic Aspergillus species: A. fumigates, A. flavus, and A. niger, under different climate scenarios. A. fumigates was found to be more common in temperate climates, while A. flavus and A. niger dominate in warmer regions. According to future climate scenarios, all three species could shift north due to global warning, particularly under severe warming events. The use of fossil fuels could also speed the spread. '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,' lead author of the research Norman van Rhijn told I mpact on Australia When it comes to how Australia will be impacted by the fungi, Dr van Rhijn said the nation should expect cases to climb, especially around coastal areas. 'The model predicts there will be a slight increase in suitability for Aspergillus flavus – as it mostly shifts from inland towards the coast (and therefore will be more closer to a lot of people),' Dr van Rhijn said. 'The other two species, Aspergillus fumigates and niger remain relatively consistent as they are most common in Australia along the coastal lines already and remain there.' So what is Aspergillus and how deadly is it? A group of living organisms that include moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms, fungi is all around us. Some types of fungi are useful – such as yeast used in baking – however others can cause severe infections in humans, livestock, and plants. Fungi spreads in spores through the air that we breathe and lives inside our bodies as well as in the soil. If the body's immune system cannot clear the fungi spores it breaths in, the fungi 'starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out, saying it really bluntly', Dr van Rhijn warned. He explained that fungi are decomposers or recyclers in nature and are extremely good at cleaning up organic material such as leaves falling from the trees or dead animals. 'They can obviously do the same to people when they come into contact. That means that people that are unable to effectively deal with the fungus through impaired immune systems or other diseases, are prone to have the fungus grow in them.' There is still a lot to learn about fungi, and more than 90 per cent types of fungi are estimated to be unknown to science. They have a devastating impact. Globally, there are 6.5 million invasive fungal infections a year, associated with approximately 3.8 million mortalities. Of those deaths, 2.5 million are directly attributable to these infections, according to the International Society for Infectious Diseases. An estimated 2.1 million people develop invasive aspergillosis annually, with a mortality rate of 85.2 per cent, while chronic pulmonary aspergillosis affects 1.84 million people annually, causing 340,000 deaths. Those with weakened immune systems such as transplant recipients or those undergoing chemotherapy, and people with asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD, are more vulnerable to the fungus. 'Fungal pathogens pose a serious threat to human health by causing infections and disrupting food systems.' Viv Goosens, research manager at Wellcome Trust, which funded the research, told Sky News. 'Climate change will make these risks worse. To address these challenges, we must fill important research gaps.' Results of the study The study explored how the existing habitats that are suitable for the fungi could spread or shrink under different global warming predictions. The world is on track to heat up by 2.6-3.1C, and the scientists found that even with 2C of warming, the fungi types Aspergillus fumigates and flavus would spread further northwards into the UK and Scandinavia. Aspergillus fumigates could spread by 16 per cent – possibly increasing by 77.5 per cent by 2100. The fungus would likely die in southern Europe. Meanwhile, Aspergillus niger could spread a further 10 per cent in Europe, while temperatures in Africa may become so high that some fungi would cease to exist. Of further concern, a warming world could also boost the fungi's temperature tolerance, allowing them to survive better inside people's bodies. 'Australians should be aware' The fungi has been detected in Australia, with those around the nation warned to be on the lookout for symptoms. 'Although the term Aspergillosis may sound like a tongue twister, it's something that all Australians should be aware of, particularly given our warm, humid atmosphere which is ideal for the formation of mould,' Australia Wide First Aid advises on its website. 'This bothersome infection, which is brought on by the common mould Aspergillus, can be rather serious, especially for people who have compromised immune systems or respiratory problems.' It noted that Aspergillus, commonly found in our surroundings, grows best in environments with lots of organic matter such as dust in homes, soil, decomposing leaves, and compost. In 2022, the World Health Organization added Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens due to its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk.
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Aspergillus fungi that can ‘eat you from the inside out' could spread as the world heats up
By Laura Paddison , CNN Aspergillus, a type of fungi, is expanding its range as the world heats up, according to new research. Photo: Centres for Disease Control/Reuters via CNN Newsource Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts - and the world is not prepared. Fungi are absolutely everywhere. A vast kingdom of organisms, from mold to mushrooms, they grow in environments such as soil, compost and water. They play an important role in ecosystems but can have a devastating impact on human health: Fungal infections kill an estimated 2.5 million people a year, and a lack of data means that number could be far higher. Yet we are still very far from understanding them, especially how these incredibly adaptable organisms will respond to a warming climate. A team of scientists from Manchester University used computer simulations and forecasts to map the potential future spread of Aspergillus, a common group of fungi found all over the world that can cause aspergillosis, a life-threatening disease primarily affecting the lungs. They found certain Aspergillus species will expand their range as the climate crisis intensifies, pushing into new parts of North America, Europe, China and Russia. The study, published this month, is currently being peer reviewed. "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," Norman van Rijn said, one of the study's authors and a climate change and infectious diseases researcher at the University of Manchester. The field has seen new attention thanks to the popular HBO television drama "The Last of Us", which follows people trying to survive in a world where an infectious mutant fungus has turned most of the population into violent monsters. (HBO and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.) It's fiction, van Rijn said, but he hoped it would raise the profile of fungal infections that were killing millions in reality. Aspergillus fungi grow like small filaments in soils all over the world. Like almost all fungi, they release huge numbers of tiny spores that spread through the air. Humans inhale spores every day but most people won't experience any health issues; their immune system clears them. It's a different story for those with lung conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD, as well as people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer and organ transplant patients, and those who have had severe flu or Covid-19. If the body's immune system fails to clear the spores, the fungus "starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out, saying it really bluntly," van Rijn said. Aspergillosis has very high mortality rates at around 20 percent to 40 percent, he said. It's also very difficult to diagnose, as doctors don't always have it on their radar and patients often present with fevers and coughs, symptoms common to many illnesses. Fungal pathogens are also becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, van Rijn added. There are only four classes of antifungal medicines available. This all spells bad news as the climate shifts open up new areas for Aspergillus to colonize. Aspergillus flavus, a species that tends to prefer hotter, tropical climates, could increase its spread by 16 percent if humans continue burning large amounts of fossil fuels, the study found. It's predicted to push into parts of northern America, northern China and Russia. This species can cause severe infections in humans and is resistant to many antifungal medications. It also infects a range of food crops, posing a potential threat to food security. The World Health Organization added Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens in 2022 because of its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk. Aspergillus fumigatus, which prefers more temperate climates, is predicted to spread northwards toward the North Pole as global temperatures rise. Its spread could increase by 77.5 percent by 2100, the study found, potentially exposing nine million people in Europe. Conversely, temperatures in some regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, could become so hot they are no longer hospitable to Aspergillus fungi. This could bring its own problems, as fungi play an important role in ecosystems, including healthy soils. Aspergillus is a fungus that is very common in the environment, found in soil, on plants and in decaying plant matter. Photo: Smith Collection/Gado/via CNN Newsource As well as expanding their growing range, a warming world could also be increasing fungi's temperature tolerance, allowing them to better survive inside human bodies. Extreme weather events such as drought, floods and heatwaves can affect fungi, too, helping to spread spores over long distances. There have been spikes in fungal disease following natural disasters, such as the outbreak after the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. The new Aspergillus study "rightfully shines a light on the threat of fungi that dwell in our natural environment and how under-prepared we are to cope with shifts in their prevalence," co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter Elaine Bignell said, who was not involved in the research. Many uncertainties remain, however, and there is still a huge amount of research to be done, she told CNN. Despite the deadly nature of aspergillosis, there is a real lack of data on where the pathogen is in the environment and who gets infected, professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley Justin Remais said, who was not involved in the research. He is leading a study of more than 100 million patients across the United States, which identified more than 20,000 aspergillosis cases between 2013 and 2023. The number of cases is increasing about 5 percent each year, he said. "Fungal pathogens are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment, and we are only beginning to understand how climate change is contributing," he told CNN. People are used to hearing about diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, but much less so fungal diseases, Bignell said. "There is a desperate need to reverse this trend given the lethality," she said. "Any of us in the future might be affected." - CNN
CTV News
24-05-2025
- Health
- CTV News
A fungi that can ‘eat you from the inside out' could spread as the world heats up
Aspergillus, a type of fungi, is expanding its range as the world heats up, according to new research. Centres for Disease Control/Reuters via CNN Newsource Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts — and the world is not prepared. Fungi are absolutely everywhere. A vast kingdom of organisms, from mold to mushrooms, they grow in environments such as soil, compost and water. They play an important role in ecosystems but can have a devastating impact on human health: Fungal infections kill an estimated 2.5 million people a year, and a lack of data means that number could be far higher. Yet we are still very far from understanding them, especially how these incredibly adaptable organisms will respond to a warming climate. A team of scientists from Manchester University used computer simulations and forecasts to map the potential future spread of Aspergillus, a common group of fungi found all over the world that can cause aspergillosis, a life-threatening disease primarily affecting the lungs. They found certain Aspergillus species will expand their range as the climate crisis intensifies, pushing into new parts of North America, Europe, China and Russia. The study, published this month, is currently being peer reviewed. '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,' said Norman van Rijn, one of the study's authors and a climate change and infectious diseases researcher at the University of Manchester. The field has seen new attention thanks to the popular HBO television drama 'The Last of Us,' which follows people trying to survive in a world where an infectious mutant fungus has turned most of the population into violent monsters. (HBO and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.) It's fiction, van Rijn said, but he hopes it will raise the profile of fungal infections that are killing millions in reality. Aspergillus fungi grow like small filaments in soils all over the world. Like almost all fungi, they release huge numbers of tiny spores that spread through the air. Humans inhale spores every day but most people won't experience any health issues; their immune system clears them. It's a different story for those with lung conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD, as well as people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer and organ transplant patients, and those who have had severe flu or Covid-19. If the body's immune system fails to clear the spores, the fungus 'starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out, saying it really bluntly,' van Rijn said. Aspergillosis has very high mortality rates at around 20% to 40%, he said. It's also very difficult to diagnose, as doctors don't always have it on their radar and patients often present with fevers and coughs, symptoms common to many illnesses. Fungal pathogens are also becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, van Rijn added. There are only four classes of antifungal medicines available. This all spells bad news as the climate shifts open up new areas for Aspergillus to colonize. Aspergillus flavus, a species that tends to prefer hotter, tropical climates, could increase its spread by 16% if humans continue burning large amounts of fossil fuels, the study found. It's predicted to push into parts of northern America, northern China and Russia. This species can cause severe infections in humans and is resistant to many antifungal medications. It also infects a range of food crops, posing a potential threat to food security. The World Health Organization added Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens in 2022 because of its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk. Aspergillus fumigatus, which prefers more temperate climates, is predicted to spread northwards toward the North Pole as global temperatures rise. Its spread could increase by 77.5% by 2100, the study found, potentially exposing 9 million people in Europe. Conversely, temperatures in some regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, could become so hot they are no longer hospitable to Aspergillus fungi. This could bring its own problems, as fungi play an important role in ecosystems, including healthy soils. As well as expanding their growing range, a warming world could also be increasing fungi's temperature tolerance, allowing them to better survive inside human bodies. Extreme weather events such as drought, floods and heatwaves can affect fungi, too, helping to spread spores over long distances. There have been spikes in fungal disease following natural disasters, such as the outbreak after the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. The new Aspergillus study 'rightfully shines a light on the threat of fungi that dwell in our natural environment and how under-prepared we are to cope with shifts in their prevalence,' said Elaine Bignell, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, who was not involved in the research. Many uncertainties remain, however, and there is still a huge amount of research to be done, she told CNN. Despite the deadly nature of aspergillosis, there is a real lack of data on where the pathogen is in the environment and who gets infected, said Justin Remais, a professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley, who was not involved in the research. He is leading a study of more than 100 million patients across the United States, which identified more than 20,000 aspergillosis cases between 2013 and 2023. The number of cases is increasing about 5% each year, he said. 'Fungal pathogens are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment, and we are only beginning to understand how climate change is contributing,' he told CNN. People are used to hearing about diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, but much less so fungal diseases, said Bignell. 'There is a desperate need to reverse this trend given the lethality,' she said. 'Any of us in the future might be affected.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A fungi that can ‘eat you from the inside out' could spread as the world heats up
Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts — and the world is not prepared. Fungi are absolutely everywhere. A vast kingdom of organisms, from mold to mushrooms, they grow in environments such as soil, compost and water. They play an important role in ecosystems but can have a devastating impact on human health: Fungal infections kill an estimated 2.5 million people a year, and a lack of data means that number could be far higher. Yet we are still very far from understanding them, especially how these incredibly adaptable organisms will respond to a warming climate. A team of scientists from Manchester University used computer simulations and forecasts to map the potential future spread of Aspergillus, a common group of fungi found all over the world that can cause aspergillosis, a life-threatening disease primarily affecting the lungs. They found certain Aspergillus species will expand their range as the climate crisis intensifies, pushing into new parts of North America, Europe, China and Russia. The study, published this month, is currently being peer reviewed. '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,' said Norman van Rijn, one of the study's authors and a climate change and infectious diseases researcher at the University of Manchester. The field has seen new attention thanks to the popular HBO television drama 'The Last of Us,' which follows people trying to survive in a world where an infectious mutant fungus has turned most of the population into violent monsters. (HBO and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.) It's fiction, van Rijn said, but he hopes it will raise the profile of fungal infections that are killing millions in reality. Aspergillus fungi grow like small filaments in soils all over the world. Like almost all fungi, they release huge numbers of tiny spores that spread through the air. Humans inhale spores every day but most people won't experience any health issues; their immune system clears them. It's a different story for those with lung conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD, as well as people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer and organ transplant patients, and those who have had severe flu or Covid-19. If the body's immune system fails to clear the spores, the fungus 'starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out, saying it really bluntly,' van Rijn said. Aspergillosis has very high mortality rates at around 20% to 40%, he said. It's also very difficult to diagnose, as doctors don't always have it on their radar and patients often present with fevers and coughs, symptoms common to many illnesses. Fungal pathogens are also becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, van Rijn added. There are only four classes of antifungal medicines available. This all spells bad news as the climate shifts open up new areas for Aspergillus to colonize. Aspergillus flavus, a species that tends to prefer hotter, tropical climates, could increase its spread by 16% if humans continue burning large amounts of fossil fuels, the study found. It's predicted to push into parts of northern America, northern China and Russia. This species can cause severe infections in humans and is resistant to many antifungal medications. It also infects a range of food crops, posing a potential threat to food security. The World Health Organization added Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens in 2022 because of its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk. Aspergillus fumigatus, which prefers more temperate climates, is predicted to spread northwards toward the North Pole as global temperatures rise. Its spread could increase by 77.5% by 2100, the study found, potentially exposing 9 million people in Europe. Conversely, temperatures in some regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, could become so hot they are no longer hospitable to Aspergillus fungi. This could bring its own problems, as fungi play an important role in ecosystems, including healthy soils. As well as expanding their growing range, a warming world could also be increasing fungi's temperature tolerance, allowing them to better survive inside human bodies. Extreme weather events such as drought, floods and heatwaves can affect fungi, too, helping to spread spores over long distances. There have been spikes in fungal disease following natural disasters, such as the outbreak after the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. The new Aspergillus study 'rightfully shines a light on the threat of fungi that dwell in our natural environment and how under-prepared we are to cope with shifts in their prevalence,' said Elaine Bignell, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, who was not involved in the research. Many uncertainties remain, however, and there is still a huge amount of research to be done, she told CNN. Despite the deadly nature of aspergillosis, there is a real lack of data on where the pathogen is in the environment and who gets infected, said Justin Remais, a professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley, who was not involved in the research. He is leading a study of more than 100 million patients across the United States, which identified more than 20,000 aspergillosis cases between 2013 and 2023. The number of cases is increasing about 5% each year, he said. 'Fungal pathogens are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment, and we are only beginning to understand how climate change is contributing,' he told CNN. People are used to hearing about diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, but much less so fungal diseases, said Bignell. 'There is a desperate need to reverse this trend given the lethality,' she said. 'Any of us in the future might be affected.'
CNN
24-05-2025
- Health
- CNN
A fungi that can ‘eat you from the inside out' could spread as the world heats up
Infection-causing fungi responsible for millions of deaths a year will spread significantly to new regions as the planet heats up, new research predicts — and the world is not prepared. Fungi are absolutely everywhere. A vast kingdom of organisms, from mold to mushrooms, they grow in environments such as soil, compost and water. They play an important role in ecosystems but can have a devastating impact on human health: Fungal infections kill an estimated 2.5 million people a year, and a lack of data means that number could be far higher. Yet we are still very far from understanding them, especially how these incredibly adaptable organisms will respond to a warming climate. A team of scientists from Manchester University used computer simulations and forecasts to map the potential future spread of Aspergillus, a common group of fungi found all over the world that can cause aspergillosis, a life-threatening disease primarily affecting the lungs. They found certain Aspergillus species will expand their range as the climate crisis intensifies, pushing into new parts of North America, Europe, China and Russia. The study, published this month, is currently being peer reviewed. '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,' said Norman van Rijn, one of the study's authors and a climate change and infectious diseases researcher at the University of Manchester. The field has seen new attention thanks to the popular HBO television drama 'The Last of Us,' which follows people trying to survive in a world where an infectious mutant fungus has turned most of the population into violent monsters. (HBO and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.) It's fiction, van Rijn said, but he hopes it will raise the profile of fungal infections that are killing millions in reality. Aspergillus fungi grow like small filaments in soils all over the world. Like almost all fungi, they release huge numbers of tiny spores that spread through the air. Humans inhale spores every day but most people won't experience any health issues; their immune system clears them. It's a different story for those with lung conditions including asthma, cystic fibrosis and COPD, as well as people with compromised immune systems, such as cancer and organ transplant patients, and those who have had severe flu or Covid-19. If the body's immune system fails to clear the spores, the fungus 'starts to grow and basically kind of eat you from the inside out, saying it really bluntly,' van Rijn said. Aspergillosis has very high mortality rates at around 20% to 40%, he said. It's also very difficult to diagnose, as doctors don't always have it on their radar and patients often present with fevers and coughs, symptoms common to many illnesses. Fungal pathogens are also becoming increasingly resistant to treatment, van Rijn added. There are only four classes of antifungal medicines available. This all spells bad news as the climate shifts open up new areas for Aspergillus to colonize. Aspergillus flavus, a species that tends to prefer hotter, tropical climates, could increase its spread by 16% if humans continue burning large amounts of fossil fuels, the study found. It's predicted to push into parts of northern America, northern China and Russia. This species can cause severe infections in humans and is resistant to many antifungal medications. It also infects a range of food crops, posing a potential threat to food security. The World Health Organization added Aspergillus flavus to its critical group of fungal pathogens in 2022 because of its public health impact and antifungal resistance risk. Aspergillus fumigatus, which prefers more temperate climates, is predicted to spread northwards toward the North Pole as global temperatures rise. Its spread could increase by 77.5% by 2100, the study found, potentially exposing 9 million people in Europe. Conversely, temperatures in some regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, could become so hot they are no longer hospitable to Aspergillus fungi. This could bring its own problems, as fungi play an important role in ecosystems, including healthy soils. As well as expanding their growing range, a warming world could also be increasing fungi's temperature tolerance, allowing them to better survive inside human bodies. Extreme weather events such as drought, floods and heatwaves can affect fungi, too, helping to spread spores over long distances. There have been spikes in fungal disease following natural disasters, such as the outbreak after the 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. The new Aspergillus study 'rightfully shines a light on the threat of fungi that dwell in our natural environment and how under-prepared we are to cope with shifts in their prevalence,' said Elaine Bignell, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, who was not involved in the research. Many uncertainties remain, however, and there is still a huge amount of research to be done, she told CNN. Candidiasis that develops in the mouth or throat is called 'thrush' or oropharyngeal candidiasis. Candidiasis in the vagina is commonly referred to as a 'yeast infection.' Invasive candidiasis occurs when Candida species enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Click the links below for more information on the different types of Candida infections. Despite the deadly nature of aspergillosis, there is a real lack of data on where the pathogen is in the environment and who gets infected, said Justin Remais, a professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley, who was not involved in the research. He is leading a study of more than 100 million patients across the United States, which identified more than 20,000 aspergillosis cases between 2013 and 2023. The number of cases is increasing about 5% each year, he said. 'Fungal pathogens are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment, and we are only beginning to understand how climate change is contributing,' he told CNN. People are used to hearing about diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites, but much less so fungal diseases, said Bignell. 'There is a desperate need to reverse this trend given the lethality,' she said. 'Any of us in the future might be affected.'
