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Pathogenic potential of polyextremotolerant fungi in a warming world

Summary

Certain fungi can survive extremely harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and dry environments, and many of these same species can cause infections in humans. As the planet warms due to climate change, these fungi are becoming better adapted to higher temperatures, which makes them more dangerous as human pathogens. Scientists are working to better understand these fungi and develop new treatments and vaccines to protect people from fungal infections.

Background

Polyextremotolerant fungi (PEF) are hardy organisms capable of surviving extreme temperatures, low water availability, UV exposure, and nutrient limitation. Many PEF are overrepresented as opportunistic human pathogens, suggesting that extremotolerance adaptations also facilitate pathogenesis. Global warming is exerting selective pressure for increased thermotolerance in fungi worldwide.

Objective

This review examines polyextremotolerant fungi and their pathogenic potential to humans, with emphasis on how climate change will affect these organisms and their capacity to cause disease.

Results

The review identifies key traits shared by pathogenic PEF including thermotolerance at 37°C, melanization, morphological plasticity, osmotic resistance, and siderophore production. Many PEF are found in human-built environments and can cause phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, and secondary infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Conclusion

Scientists must expand functional annotation of fungal genomes to identify common drivers of pathogenesis and extremotolerance, develop improved diagnostic tools, and create novel antifungal treatments and vaccines to address the emerging threat of PEF in a warming world.
  • Published in:PLoS Pathogens,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40305547, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013102
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