The status report revealed that Deadly fungus “breeds in bat feces” A 61-year-old Florida man suffered from night sweats, extreme fatigue, fever and significant weight loss over a period of about 10 months, requiring hospitalization.
Tests showed he had high levels of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, which damaged his heart, caused inflammation throughout his body, caused his spleen to swell and two masses to grow on his adrenal glands.
The doctors wrote in the report that the man was lucky to be alive, especially since he suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat.
Severe fungal infections are 100% fatal if left untreated in people with weakened immune systems.
The man had to undergo heart surgery to repair the damaged areas, and doctors prescribed him intravenous medication for two weeks, but he suffered complications after the operations and was admitted to the intensive care unit for six days. He also suffered from anemia due to the large amount of blood loss, and deteriorated kidney function due to damage to cells in the organs.
Once he recovered, the man was sent home to receive “long-term” antifungal treatment.
Doctors explained that the H. capsulatum fungus is found in the feces of birds and bats and causes a flu-like illness when people inhale its spores. But the patient said he had no contact with these animals and had not traveled outside Florida recently.
However, H. capsulatum can contaminate soil and live in the ground for years.
“The fungus requires an environment that supports its growth, which typically includes areas with large amounts of bird or bat droppings,” the status report states.
The fungus is not commonly diagnosed in Florida, and is most common in the Ohio River Valley and Mississippi River. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says these areas are “favorable” for H. capsulatum growth because of the acidity of the soil.
So, after this case was reported, soil samples were taken from the man’s farm “to uncover the secret of the spread of the fungus in the area.”
Source: Daily Mail
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2024-07-31 05:05:11
