A deadly fungal epidemic in Brazil is rapidly spreading, fueled by pollution, cats, and genetics. The country is facing the world’s largest and most persistent sporotrichosis epidemic, a fungal infection spread primarily through cats. A recent study has revealed an alarming genetic diversity in the fungus, suggesting that urban pollutants may be accelerating its evolution.
Researchers identified molecular markers that could enhance diagnostics and treatments, while also highlighting the rapid adaptation and virulence of Sporothrix brasiliensis. The study analyzed 104 isolates of Sporothrix fungi and discovered 79 distinct genetic variants, revealing a much higher level of genetic diversity than previously thought.
The team proposes that exposure to common urban pollutants, such as benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, may be driving this evolution. These chemicals could act as environmental stressors, favoring fungal strains with increased CMC activity. The presence of high-frequency derived alleles in S. brasiliensis suggests rapid adaptation, potentially leading to increased virulence.
Sporothrix brasiliensis is the most virulent Sporothrix species and a key driver of the Brazilian epidemic. The outbreak, which originated in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1990s, has spread nationwide and to neighboring countries, fueled by high cat populations, socioeconomic challenges, and gaps in disease surveillance.
The study’s findings offer new insights into Brazil’s ongoing sporotrichosis epidemic and highlight the urgent need for enhanced fungal surveillance. Identifying genetic markers linked to virulence could lead to new control strategies in both human and veterinary medicine, helping to address this growing public health crisis.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/a-super-fungus-is-evolving-in-polluted-cities-and-its-spreading-through-cats