New Study Shows Aspergillus Is a Growing Health Threat Worldwide

The HBO drama The Last of Us opens with a heavy conversation. Two scientists argue about the threat fungi could pose in the future. One scientist warns that fungi may become a major threat to humans.

He says climate change will help fungi adapt to warmer temperatures. That could make fungal infections more dangerous and harder to control. The other scientist brushes off these concerns.

The Last of Us focuses on a fungus called Cordyceps. While Cordyceps is not currently a real threat to humans, another fungus is: Aspergillus.

Aspergillus fungi are everywhere. They infect people, animals, and plants. A new study warns that Aspergillus will spread north as the planet warms. The more severe the warming, the more intense the spread. Human health risks will likely increase as Aspergillus reaches new regions.

How Does Climate Change Cause Spread of Aspergillus?

Global warming is expected to shift fungal habitats worldwide. Scientists used global DNA data and advanced models for their study. They predicted current and future ranges for three Aspergillus species.

Climate change may increase Aspergillus infections in two ways. First, it can expand the range of existing pathogens. Second, it can make fungi more tolerant to heat, increasing infections in mammals. More fungal species may adapt to survive inside mammals.

A. fumigatus prefers cooler, temperate areas. A. flavus and A. niger thrive in warmer climates. The study shows Aspergillus will shift northward under all warming scenarios.

Azole drugs treat Aspergillus infections in humans and animals. But azole chemicals are also common in farm pesticides. Aspergillus spores exposed to these chemicals can develop drug resistance. People can then inhale resistant spores, leading to hard-to-treat infections.

Changing Aspergillus habitats could lead to more human infections. An additional one million people in Europe could face A. flavus exposure. Nine million more people in Europe could face A. fumigatus exposure.

How Dangerous is Aspergillus Infection?

Humans inhale hundreds of Aspergillus spores daily. Spores are tiny—only two to three microns wide. They easily bypass airway defenses and reach the lungs. Healthy immune systems often clear the spores.

But people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk. High spore levels can also cause severe health problems. Aspergillus can grow in lung cavities, leading to chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). CPA affects 1.8 million people and causes 340,000 deaths each year.

Spores can also spread through the bloodstream, causing invasive aspergillosis (IA). IA infects 2.1 million people and causes 1.8 million deaths each year.

Aspergillus infections have high mortality rates—20 to 40 percent. The disease is hard to diagnose. Doctors often miss it because symptoms overlap with other illnesses. Patients usually have fevers and coughs.

Fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus, are becoming increasingly resistant to treatment. Only four classes of antifungal medications are available.

Conclusion

A new study shows Aspergillus is a growing health threat worldwide. Climate change is expanding fungal habitats and driving antifungal resistance. Protecting global health will require better monitoring, treatment, and awareness of fungal risks.

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Logan Hamilton is a health and wellness freelance writer for hire. He’s passionate about crafting crystal-clear, captivating, and credible content that elevates brands and establishes trust. When not writing, Logan can be found hiking, sticking his nose in bizarre books, or playing drums in a local rock band. Find him at loganjameshamilton.com.