Wake-up Call: Rapid Increase in Human Fungal Diseases under Climate Change

Abstract

Rising temperatures and extreme weather are setting the stage for increases in fungal diseases. As new pathogenic fungi emerge and known threats spread and evolve, scientists and decision makers are responding.

Graphical abstract

Jace White acquired Valley fever while farming near Fresno, California. Coccidioidomycosis—a pneumonia-like respiratory infection—is named for California’s San Joaquin Valley, where the pathogen was first identified. Image: © Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images.

Image: © Ghiglione Claudio/Shutterstock.com.

A doctor performs endoscopic sinus surgery on a person with mucormycosis in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India, during the 2021 outbreak. Image: © Himanshu Sharma/Sipa USA via AP.

With respect to human health, the pathogen that causes Valley fever behaves like an aerosolized particulate, says Remais. Light micrograph shows a Coccidioides immitis spherule, capable of releasing spores and spreading infection, in a human lung. Image: © Michael Abbey/Science Source.

In addition to altering distribution and characteristics of pathogenic fungi, climate change also leads to increased storm intensity. After the 2011 F5 tornado in Joplin, Missouri, people with more wounds and puncture wounds had increased risk of rare cutaneous mucormycosis. Image: © iStock.com/Eyecrave Productions.

“Attributes of the fungus, environment, and host, altered by climate change, can drive emergence of novel, uncommon, or adapted species, with consequences for health, biodiversity, and food security,” investigators wrote in a 2021 article. In this graphic, solid lines show links supported by published evidence; dashed lines show probable but unproven links. “?” represents as-yet unknown fungal species and consequences. Image: © Nnadi and Carter (2021). Used under Creative Commons license CC-BY 4.0 DEED [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/].

Strains of Aspergillus fumigatus are developing resistance to triazole antifungal agents. This microscopic section showing the microbe’s branching hyphae—a form of vegetative growth—is from an immunosuppressed individual. Image: © Ralph C. Eagle, Jr./Science Source.