Man Gets Infected by Silver Leaf Fungus That Typically Attacks Rose Plants; Case Is First Reported Human Infection, Specialists Say

Silver leaf fungus typically attacks rose plants and trees. Given this, it was quite a shock for a man in India to get infected with the fungal condition. As a rare crossover incident, this case is reportedly the first human infection.

Silver Leaf Fungus

As per Gizmodo, Chondrostereum purpureum is a fungus that infects plants with a condition known as silver leaf. In most cases, rose plants and trees are the ones that get infected by the fungus. Live Science notes that it also affects fruit trees, such as apple and cherry, and ornamental trees, such as elms and maple. The fungus thrives on decaying and dead wood.

However, if it links itself to healthy plants that are alive, it usually kills the plant and makes the plant's leaves become silver.

While the fungus is known to attack plant species, it is reportedly the first time for a silver leaf infection to hit humans.

First Reported Human Infection of Silver Leaf Fungus

According to Live Science, the man, 61, experienced cough, hoarseness, swallowing difficulties, fatigue, recurring throat inflammation, and decreased appetite for around three months before he sought medical assistance. Fortunately, his symptoms could be treated. His case was reported in the Medical Mycology Case Reports.

The patient was actually a mycologist. This meant that he was a studier of fungi. As part of his research, he regularly worked with mushrooms, decomposing materials, and other fungi.

CT scans were run on the man's neck. The scans showed a pus pocket by his windpipe's right side. Pus samples were then extracted and analyzed. By doing so, doctors found traces of fungal activity and growth.

Gizmodo reports pus tests did not refer to any common fungal suspects. Hence, the team sent some samples to a laboratory that is affiliated with the World Health Organization.

It was there that the culprit of the infection was found. It was the silver-leaf-causing Chondrostereum purpureum fungus. As far as the researchers know, this is the first reported human infection of the C. purpureum.

Because of this being the first incident, likeliness of infection and best treatment options are still unclear.

There are certain fungi that may regularly infect people and make them ill. However, this tends to happen among those with compromised immune systems. Given this, the man's case is even more odd. His immune system was healthy.

Researchers think that it was the nature of his work that led to his vulnerability. Even if the man never reportedly studied the fungi, he still handled decaying material and other fungi as he conducted research. Given this, the authors suggest that the man was sufficiently exposed to the fungus to the point that the fungus was able to overpower the barrier between species.

Check out more news and information on Medicine and Health in Science Times.