Climate change in scientists is growing, as it favors the spread and development of pathogenic microorganisms that can prove to be catastrophic for humanity. Among them includes the fungus Aspergillus, which spreads rapidly.
As Iatropedia.gr wrote on May 5, scientists from the University of Manchester had found that the Fungus Aspergillus was spreading north in Europe, Asia and America.
At the same time, it is visible to the risk of being unstable for him the conditions in the areas where there was so far.
This shift will bring enormous changes to local ecosystems, while exposing to unprecedented dangers of people who have not been exposed to it so far.
Scientists estimated that an extremely dangerous subspecies, Aspergillus Fumigates, could have spread to an additional 77% of the planet by 2100. The consequence would be to expose 9 million more people in Europe in his seeds.
Aspergillus Fumigates is one of the four most dangerous fungi in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). These fungi have a high mortality rate (reaching up to 88%!).
Where is it hiding
But how common is this fungus and where is there?
As the British System (NHS) reports, Aspergillus exists mainly in the outdoors, and in particular:
- In the soil, the compot and the rotten leaves
- Trees, plants, crops
Sometimes the fungus also exists indoors, such as:
- The dust
- The bedding
- The buildings with increased humidity
- Air conditioning systems
Who are at risk
Most people inhale the spores of this fungus without getting sick, reports by Cleveland Clinic. In some people, however, Aspergillus can cause an allergic reaction, chronic pulmonary disease or invasive disease. Invasive disease is dangerous because it can affect the brain, kidneys, lungs or other organs.
In high -risk groups for aspergillosis, as the fungus causes the disease, they are included:
- Suffering from lung diseases (eg asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD)
- Patients with impaired immune (eg transplanted, patients who do chemotherapy or take systematically cortisone)
- People with a history of tuberculosis
- People with heavy influenza or Covid-19s, for whom breathtaking needed (artificial ventilation)
Depending on the high -risk group, the risk of developing any form of aspergillosis increases.
Thus, greater risk:
- Allergic Aspergillosis are treated with asthma, cystic fibrosis or bronchctasis (is lung disease)
- Chronic Aspergillosis runs through COPD patients, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis
- Invasive aspergillosis runs through those who have attenuated immune system
The suspicious symptoms
The symptoms caused by Aspergillus depend on its type and the point of the affecting body. The most common are the ones that causes respiratory infection or allergic reaction.
Among them are included:
- Cough (sometimes with blood)
- Shortness of breath
- Whistle (‘whistle’ of breathing)
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Fatigue and weight loss may be symptoms of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
Those who already suffer from another pulmonary disease and are infected with the fungus, may exacerbate its symptoms.
Patients may also have additional symptoms, depending on the part of the affected body. In the eyes, for example, it can cause, among other things, redness and pain, brain changes in mental mood and confusion, etc.
How is he treated
The treatment depends on the subspecies of the culprit fungus and the underlying health of the patient. In general the main treatment options are:
- Surgery
- Antifungal drugs
- Corticosteroids (cortisone)
Surgery is usually indicated when the fungus begins to grow in the lung, creating a mass known as Aspergil. Intervention can also be needed if Aspergillus affects the heart valves. Surgery is usually not done in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
Surgery and antifungal drugs can lead to healing some forms of non-dimensional aspergillosis. At other times, however, they may relapse. Treatment of invasive aspergillosis is very difficult and can threaten the lives of immunosuppressed patients.