The tree fungus Chondrostereum purpureum has infected a human for the first time. Scientists fear that such cases will become more frequent in the future.

If a plant is attacked by the tree fungus Chondrostereum purpureum, this often causes the so-called silver leaf disease: the branches become discolored and die. In India there has now been a case for the first time in which this fungus has spread to a human.

According to a report in the journal Medical Mycology Case Reports, the 61-year-old had suffered from hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, coughing, sore throat, fatigue and loss of appetite for three months when he undergone his first medical examination.

During a CT scan, doctors discovered an abscess in the patient’s neck and initially suspected a bacterial infection. Only a laboratory analysis revealed that it was a fungal infestation. The fungus species Chondrostereum purpureum could be identified through DNA sequencing. The abscess was removed and the man was successfully treated.

According to the report, the transmission was facilitated by the work of the person concerned: in his work as a plant mycologist (scientifically deals with various fungi in plants), he came into increased contact with fungi. Pathogens can enter the human body through the respiratory tract or open wounds and cause infection. The risk is particularly high in immunocompromised people.

Although only a few of the many naturally occurring fungi are capable of infecting humans and animals, the scientists express concern in their report. They suspect that such cases could increase in the future.

Global warming and civilizational activities are opening the “Pandora’s box for new fungal diseases”. In recent years, a large number of new pathogenic fungi have been observed which, thanks to their adaptability, can survive at different temperatures. Pathogens are fungi that cause disease in humans or other organisms. The multi-resistant yeast fungus Candida auris is currently on the rise worldwide.