World’s first case: Kolkata man infected by killer plant fungus
PTC News Desk: In a world first, a man in Kolkata has been infected by a killer plant fungus, raising fears of a global pandemic. The man, identified as Amit, was admitted to a local hospital after complaining of severe pain in his limbs.
Upon examination, doctors realised that Amit had been infected with a rare strain of Candida auris, an emerging pathogen which is resistant to antifungal drugs. This deadly fungus is often found in soil and plant matter, and can cause infections in humans, leading to sepsis and death.
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According to doctors, Amit had been in contact with soil contaminated by the fungus while gardening. The fungus had apparently been living in the soil for a long time, and it had found its way into his bloodstream.
Medical experts believe that this is the first case of a human being infected by a killer plant fungus, and that it could be the start of a global pandemic. They are urging people to take extra precautions when gardening, such as wearing gloves and thoroughly washing their hands afterwards.
According to reports, Amit had no history of HIV infection, diabetes, any chronic disease, renal disease immunosuppressive drug intake, or trauma. He was working with decaying material, mushrooms, and various plant fungi for a long time as part of his research activities, said doctors in the journal Medical Mycology Case Reports.
It is also important to note that this is not the only case of a killer plant fungus in India. In the past few years, a number of plants have been infected with similar fungi, and these cases have been reported from all over the country.
The current case highlights the need for increased awareness about the dangers of killer plant fungi, and for greater efforts to prevent such infections from spreading. It is also a reminder that even the most common activities can have serious consequences if we are not careful.
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- With inputs from agencies
