Warning to Gardeners about Deadly Fungus
Reported June 19, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) A warning is going out to all gardeners after a healthy man dies from inhaling material from dead plants.
The 47-year-old man is highlighted in a report from researchers in the United Kingdom. In May 2007, the man was admitted to a hospital for sputum-producing cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. He was a welder and a smoker, but was otherwise healthy. Within 24 hours, the man despite being on an oxygen machine became so out of breath he had to be transferred to the intensive care unit.
Doctors found the fungus Asperillus fumigatus had grown from two sputum samples. The authors write, On closer questioning, the patients partner revealed that his symptoms had started less than 24-hours after he had dispersed rotting tree and plant mulch in the garden, where clouds of dust had engulfed him.
The mans fungal infection was treated with intravenous liposomal amphotericin and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation but his blood pressure remained too low and he developed acute kidney failure. His health declined despite dialysis and ended up dying. The diagnosis of aspergillosis was confirmed by analyzing blood samples.
Aspergillus spores are often found on decaying plant matter. Inhaling them can cause various types of aspergillosis, which can be acute and invasive, as in this patient, or they can be chronic.
The authors conclude, Unlike most patients with acute, invasive, aspergillosis, our patient did not seem to be immunosuppressed; however, smoking and welding could have damaged his lungs, increasing his vulnerability. Since he died so quickly, we cannot exclude the possibility that he had an undetected immunodeficiency. Acute aspergillosis after contact with decayed plant matter is rare, but may be considered an occupational hazard for gardeners.
They add getting treated right away with an appropriate antifungal medication is critical in cases like this one.
SOURCE: The Lancet, 2008;371:2056