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Abstract

cles/PMC7278517/">A study in Microbial Cell</a> reported that “Annually, over 150 million severe cases of fungal infections occur worldwide, resulting in approximately 1.7 million deaths per year.”Most of us don’t worry too much about fungal infections because often they are mild and treatable. But this might change as the planet warms. Already, some stubborn Candida infections go largely unrecognised, resulting in large numbers of people visiting alternative therapists, because the medical profession cannot help them.A <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/26/health/who-fungi-infections-superbugs.html">World Health Organisation Official</a> said at a news conference: “The bottom line is that invasive fungal infections are becoming more prevalent, but frequently they are not recognized in patients and not correctly treated. We do not have a real sense of the size of the problem.”<h1 id="454c">Global warming means fungal infections will increase</h1>A <a href="https://today.duke.edu/2023/01/warmer-climate-may-drive-fungi-be-more-dangerous-our-health">study published by Duke University School of Medicine</a> reported that increasing temperatures can cause pathogenic fungi — specifically Cryptococcus deneoformans — “to turn its adaptative responses into overdrive”, leading to “greater disease-causing potential.”The bottom line is that fungal infections are expected to become more harmful as the planet warms. It’s not limited to a single species either — pathogenic fungi include Candida, Aspergillus and other strains, which all cause disease and can kill people who are immunocompromised.<h1 id="ccb6">Vaccine on the horizon</h1>However,

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there is a <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fungal-infections-are-becoming-common-isnt-vaccine-rcna68791">vaccine under development</a> for fungal infections. It’s being developed by the University of Georgia to target three strains responsible for most fungi-related deaths in the USA.<ul><li>Aspergillus, which infects <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/aspergillosis/causes.html">the lungs and sinuses</a> and can spread.</li><li>Candida, focusing on Candida auris, which causes blood infections in vulnerable people.</li><li>Pneumocystis, which can lead to pneumonia.</li></ul>Early trials on animals have shown that the vaccine generates antifungal antibodies in monkeys and if fully funded, the vaccine could be available within five years.© Susie Kearley 2023. All Rights Reserved.More from me…<ul><li><a href="https://readmedium.com/womans-hands-feet-amputated-after-uti-leaves-her-in-coma-82247b70c50f?source=list-a3cb267bd2b4--------1-------2e2237a6f4e8---------------------">Woman’s Hands & Feet Amputated After UTI Leaves Her in Coma</a></li><li><a href="https://readmedium.com/my-uncle-had-electric-shock-treatment-then-died-5d15cb649e9c?source=list-a3cb267bd2b4--------2-------2e2237a6f4e8---------------------">My Uncle Had Electric Shock Treatment, Then Died</a></li><li><a href="https://readmedium.com/a-new-treatment-for-fungal-nails-8d2eeb6132d8?source=list-a3cb267bd2b4--------3-------2e2237a6f4e8---------------------">A New Treatment For Fungal Nails</a></li><li>Join Medium and read unlimited stories, using <a href="https://susiekearley.medium.com/membership">my referral link</a></li></ul></article></body>

Next Pandemic Could Be a Fungal Infection, So They’re Working on a Vaccine

Millions of people die every year from fungal infections

Fungal infections cause over 75,000 hospitalizations in the USA every year, and almost 9 million outpatient visits, say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s quite plausible that the next Pandemic could be caused by a fungal infection.

One such infection, Candida auris has been spreading in recent times. It’s drug resistant, making it particularly dangerous to vulnerable patients. It first showed up in Japan in 2009 and is now found in over 30 countries, according to the CDC.

Fungi are notoriously adaptable and difficult to treat, due to limited range of medicines, and the ease with which some fungi develop resistance to them.

At the moment, fungi are better known for causing conditions like athletes foot and thrush among healthy people. But worldwide, millions of people die every year from fungal infections, either in developing countries, or when the infections are contracted in hospitals among immunocompromised patients.

A study in Microbial Cell reported that “Annually, over 150 million severe cases of fungal infections occur worldwide, resulting in approximately 1.7 million deaths per year.”

Most of us don’t worry too much about fungal infections because often they are mild and treatable. But this might change as the planet warms. Already, some stubborn Candida infections go largely unrecognised, resulting in large numbers of people visiting alternative therapists, because the medical profession cannot help them.

A World Health Organisation Official said at a news conference: “The bottom line is that invasive fungal infections are becoming more prevalent, but frequently they are not recognized in patients and not correctly treated. We do not have a real sense of the size of the problem.”

Global warming means fungal infections will increase

A study published by Duke University School of Medicine reported that increasing temperatures can cause pathogenic fungi — specifically Cryptococcus deneoformans — “to turn its adaptative responses into overdrive”, leading to “greater disease-causing potential.”

The bottom line is that fungal infections are expected to become more harmful as the planet warms. It’s not limited to a single species either — pathogenic fungi include Candida, Aspergillus and other strains, which all cause disease and can kill people who are immunocompromised.

Vaccine on the horizon

However, there is a vaccine under development for fungal infections. It’s being developed by the University of Georgia to target three strains responsible for most fungi-related deaths in the USA.

Aspergillus, which infects the lungs and sinuses and can spread.
Candida, focusing on Candida auris, which causes blood infections in vulnerable people.
Pneumocystis, which can lead to pneumonia.

Early trials on animals have shown that the vaccine generates antifungal antibodies in monkeys and if fully funded, the vaccine could be available within five years.