With the popular apocalyptic TV show, The Last of Us, having us worry about possible zombie fungal infections, the first case of a killer plant fungus infecting a human has been reported.
In a first-of-its-kind case, a plant mycologist from India contracted a fungal disease which caused flu-like symptoms.
The 61-year-old, who was diagnosed with the condition in the Indian city of Kolkata, is said to be infected with Chondrostereum purpureum, the fungus that causes silver leaf disease in plants, most commonly in species of roses.
The fungal infection which is spread by airborne spores gets its name from the fact that it gradually turns leaves silver and is often fatal.
However, this is the first time the disease has been found to infect humans, sparking worries
Typically, people with cancer, HIV, respiratory diseases, and organ transplants are most at risk of fungal infections known to jump species.
The man in question was a mycologist, who worked with mushrooms and various fungi.
According to a report published in Medical Mycology Case Reports, the man suffered symptoms like a hoarse voice, cough, fatigue and difficulty swallowing for three months.
Scans revealed the infection had caused a paratracheal abscess in the man’s neck, partially obstructing his airway. Doctors drained the pus and the man was prescribed daily antifungal medicine for two months.
The good news is, two years later, the man is said to be ‘absolutely fine’ and the infection has not returned.
Still, the doctors who treated him worry that the unique case ‘raises serious questions’ about the ability of plant pathogens to cause disease in humans and animals.
‘If the fungi can escape the phagocytosis pathway and are able to evade the host immune system, then they can establish themselves as human pathogens,’ they said.
Sound eerily similar to the Cordyceps outbreak from The Last of Us? Experts have previously weighed in on this.
Mycologist Paul Stamets addressed the alarm by stressing that Cordyceps ‘cannot infect humans’ in real life.
However, recent studies suggest that global warming could cause fungi to mutate faster like in the apocalyptic TV series.
The authors of the study warned that pathogenic fungi should be taken more seriously in order to avoid a situation akin to The Last of Us.
MORE : Drug resistant fungus is ‘worrisome’ (but we aren’t at Last of Us stage yet)
