Image Credit: Doc. RNDr. Josef Reischig, CSc. ©️CC BY-SA 3.0
Global warming will accelerate the spread of deadly fungal infections, according to scientists.
The effects of climate change on our planet, unfortunately, are not limited to melting glaciers and rising sea levels. Many factors such as increasing energy demand, mass migration, pressure on water resources and food security have the potential to create a global crisis on their own. Moreover, in recent years, some fungal infections that were once confined to tropical regions have also been detected in temperate zones, raising concerns among scientists due to their potential to cause a global pandemic.
In a study published in Research Square on May 2, 2025, researchers focus on the possibility that certain Aspergillus species may, in particular, spread toward mid-latitudes due to climate change.1
There are approximately 200 species of fungi defined under the genus Aspergillus. Some of these species have serious pathogenic effects on human health. The most striking and dangerous among these is Aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause fatal infections in individuals with compromised immune systems due to its ability to grow at body temperature.
Aspergillus fumigatus is a type of mold that usually grows in decaying organic matter. It thrives in environments such as soil, compost and leaf litter. It is also known for its ability to survive in high temperatures.
Our immune system is strong enough to neutralize the spores of this mold, but in people with weakened immune systems, these spores can cause serious infections.
Aspergillus fumigatus can cause a severe respiratory infection known as invasive aspergillosis, especially in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or those taking immunosuppressive drugs such as corticosteroids. The infection usually starts in the lungs and spreads to the sinuses, brain and other organs.
According to a study published by Sourabh Dhingra and Robert A. Cramer, due to the recent increase in the use of immunosuppressive drugs, it is estimated that Aspergillus fumigatus may cause more than 600,000 deaths each year.2
Another Aspergillus species that can have fatal effects on humans is Aspergillus flavus. The most dangerous feature of this species is its ability to synthesize a chemical compound called aflatoxin. Aflatoxins can easily pass through cell membranes and interact with DNA thanks to their lipophilic structure. Long-term and low-dose aflatoxin exposure can lead to liver function deterioration, weakening of the immune system, and ultimately fatal liver cancers such as HCC.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have clearly stated that aflatoxins are one of the main toxins that threaten global food security. In line with this, many countries have set legal limits for these toxins. However, despite these regulations, aflatoxin contamination can be found in agricultural products stored especially in hot and humid climate conditions. It is predicted that global warming and changes in agricultural practices will accelerate this process even further.
The study published in Research Square suggests that the global distribution area of Aspergillus species may increase by 77% by 2100.
- Norman van Rhijn, Christopher Uzzell, Jennifer Shelton et al. Climate change-driven geographical shifts in Aspergillus species habitat and the implications for plant and human health, 02 May 2025, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6545782/v1][↩]
- Dhingra S, Cramer RA. Regulation of Sterol Biosynthesis in the Human Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus: Opportunities for Therapeutic Development. Front Microbiol. 2017 Feb 1;8:92. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.00092. PMID: 28203225; PMCID: PMC5285346.[↩]
