Is the plot of “The Last of Us” becoming reality? Deadly infection is a new global threat and attacks the brain
A new threat to human health is spreading across the world, caused by microscopic fungal spores that live in and on the human body, as well as in soil and air.
A man named Torrens Irvin believes that the deadly fungus “Coccidioides” entered his lungs in June 2018 while he was relaxing in the backyard of his home in Patterson, California.
“I was sitting in a lounge chair, enjoying a beautiful summer day, playing games on my phone and drinking a cocktail,” recalls Irvin, who was on the brink of death before a specialist made the correct diagnosis – nearly a year later – writes Nova.rs.
During that period, Irvin lost more than half of his body weight, dropping from 130 kilograms to just 68.
“At one point, the doctors simply gave up and told my wife there was nothing more they could do. I still remember how she cried when they told her that,” said Irvin.
Spread of infection to the brain
Rob Purdy suffered a similar fate, believing he inhaled “Coccidioides” spores in 2012 while working in his garden in Bakersfield, California. In his case, the infection spread to his brain, causing fungal meningitis – a dangerous inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
“In about 3% of infected people, the fungus spreads beyond the lungs, affecting the skin, bones, joints, and other organs – even unusual places like the eyeball, teeth, or little finger,” explained Purdy, founder of the nonprofit “MYCare,” which focuses on education and research on fungal diseases.
“In half of those cases, the fungus goes to the brain, as it did with me,” he added. “To survive, I have to receive lifelong injections of a toxic drug that’s 80 years old and slowly poisoning me.”
Art imitates life – and vice versa
The popular HBO series “The Last of Us” depicts a fictional mutated fungus “Cordyceps” that spreads through bites from the infected. In the series, the parasite quickly attacks the victim's brain, turning them into aggressive predators with tendrils protruding from their mouths.
In reality, “Cordyceps” infects only insects – such as ants, bugs, and spiders – while the rest of the plot is science fiction. However, dangerous fungi that seriously threaten human health are not fictional.
Increasingly difficult-to-treat fungal infections
According to global estimates, there are 6.5 million invasive fungal infections and around 3.8 million deaths annually – and many of these infections are becoming increasingly resistant to existing medications.
Due to growing resistance to existing fungicides, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a list in April of 19 critical fungal species that are the highest priority for new drug development. The list includes fungi from the “Coccidioides” genus.
Most dangerous resistant fungi
At the top of the critical fungal pathogens list is “Cryptococcus neoformans,” which causes a potentially deadly form of meningitis. The mortality rate from this infection can reach up to 61%, especially in patients with HIV.
The second on the list is “Aspergillus fumigatus,” a mold that attacks the lungs and can spread to other parts of the body.
