Plant Fungus Affecting Humans - First Case in India

A 61-year-old plant mycologist in Kolkata has become the first person in the world to be diagnosed with a fungal disease, which generally affects plants. With symptoms such as hoarseness, coughing, fatigue, and difficulty swallowing for three months, the man was diagnosed with it. Despite undergoing several tests, the fungus could not be phenotypically identified. As a result, It was sent to the “WHO Collaborating Centre for Research on Fungi of Medical Importance” in India, where it was identified as Chondrostereum purpureum through DNA sequencing.

In this article, you can read all about this case, the disease that affected the man and the role of fungi in our environment. This topic is important for the IAS exam health, science and tech as well as environment & ecology segments.

Plant Fungus Infecting Humans

According to a study published in Medical Mycology Case Reports, the fungal disease referred to as silver leaf, which predominantly affects plants in the Rose family, is caused by the fungal plant pathogen Chondrostereum purpureum.

• The patient had been working with decaying material, mushrooms and other plant fungi for a long time as part of his research activities.
• While there are millions of fungi in the environment, only a small number of them are capable of infecting humans and animals. 
• The case highlights the fact that plant pathogens can cause diseases in animals and humans and raises concerns about the likelihood of such infections occurring in humans.

Role of Fungi in Environment

• Fungi are decomposers that break down dead organic matter and recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem. 
• Without fungi, dead plant and animal matter would accumulate, leading to a buildup of waste and a decrease in the availability of nutrients.
• Fungi also form important relationships with other organisms. For example, mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with the roots of plants.
• Production of certain foods and medicines: For example, yeast is used in bread-making and beer brewing, and certain types of fungi are used in the production of antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals.
• Fungi can also have negative impacts: Fungi can cause plant and animal diseases, and others can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and other animals.

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