The death toll is rising: Fungal infections are becoming increasingly dangerous for us

class = “sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

The world of mushrooms is still full of secrets. Researchers think there are approximately 4 million species still unknown. Approximately 120,000 species of fungi have been described to date. This means it could take another 25,000 years for all species to be discovered.

A huge task. After all, mushrooms live not only in the forest, but also in the sea and in the tropics. Well preserved and hard to find. However, fungi can also be found in our environment and in our bodies. It is small and mostly harmless to us. But fungi are increasingly becoming a deadly threat to humans. The number of infections is rising, as a new study published in mid-January in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases shows.

“We must take mushrooms very seriously”

For this, figures from 120 countries covering fungal diseases between 2010 and 2023 were analyzed. The result: “Estimates assume 6.5 million annual cases of invasive fungal infections and 3.8 million deaths,” study author David Denning writes. Mycologists, as fungal researchers are called, make clear that the numbers can only be estimated. There is no definitive information about annual fungal diseases. Also because it is not always clear whether a fungus is behind the infection.

But one thing is clear to Denning: The number of fatal infections is rising. According to research, there were nearly 2 million mushroom deaths more than 10 years ago. Now there are 6.5 million. A tremendous increase. “We must take mushrooms very seriously,” says the researcher. Problem: You can’t vaccinate against fungi; Only a few medications can help. We humans would increase the impact even further. Because mushrooms have the ability to learn. Like bacteria, they can develop resistance. This happens, for example, through the use of fungicides, that is, poisons aimed at killing fungi. They are frequently used in agriculture.

These pathogens are life-threatening

The World Health Organization (WHO) has therefore warned against fungal diseases as early as 2022. Specifically, there are more than 19 pathogenic fungi that experts believe pose a threat to public health. WHO has called for better research of these pathogens to improve treatment options.

These pathogens are especially life-threatening for patients with weakened immune systems: Cryptococcus neoformans, which can cause meningitis, Candida auris, which can affect the central nervous system, organs, bones and eyes, and Aspergillus fumigatus, among other things… Lung implantable and Candida albicans. This pathogen is common and affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, genital area, and intestines, but rarely causes problems in healthy people. However, it can be life-threatening for people with suppressed immune systems.

Source : Blick