Killer Fungus Invading U.S. Lands

A team of scientists has discovered a drug-resistant killer fungus lurking in common gardening soil, compost, and flower bulbs across the United States. Researchers from the University of Georgia collected 525 samples of soil, compost, flower bulbs, and other plant products from farms nationwide in search of a drug-resistant strain of *Aspergillus fumigatus* (a type of infectious fungus that was previously only prevalent in Europe). The team found high levels of the killer fungus, sufficient to infect individuals with weakened immune systems, including those with lung diseases or undergoing chemotherapy. The study indicated that when inhaled, *A. fumigatus* can grow inside the lungs and cause an infection known as aspergillosis. Research shows that *A. fumigatus* causes over 300,000 deaths worldwide annually, with mortality rates ranging from 30 to 90 percent. Additionally, the mortality rate for immunocompromised patients is around 100 percent if the infection is resistant to antifungal medications. Symptoms include fever, coughing up blood, and worsening asthma, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Mansour from Massachusetts General Hospital stated, "If you have a healthy immune system, this is not a problem." Scientists reported that the rise in drug-resistant killer fungi is likely due to the widespread agricultural use of antifungals to combat crop diseases.