How fungi kill millions globally
Photos: Fungal diseases under the microscope
Fatal Fungi – Tiny fungal spores are found in soil, air and water, and whilst most species are harmless to humans, some can be deadly, collectively killing 1.5 million people around the world each year.
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Photos: Fungal diseases under the microscope
Aspergillus – One such fungus is Aspergillus -- a common mold found both indoors and outdoors. Most of us breathe in its spores everyday without getting sick, but for those with weakened immune systems it can cause serious lung infections and allergic reactions.
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Photos: Fungal diseases under the microscope
Pnuemocystis jirovecii – The fungus Pnuemocystis jirovecii can also cause severe infections, particularly in people with HIV/AIDS. It caused one of the main AIDS-defining illnesses in the United States after the epidemic started in the 1980s.
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Photos: Fungal diseases under the microscope
Cryptococcus – The fungus Cryptococcus can be found all around the world, and most of us are likely to breathe it in at some point in our lives. But it also causes Cryptococcal meningitis, a leading cause of death for HIV/AIDS patients in sub-Saharan Africa.
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