Plant Fungus Infection

May 01, 2023

• A 61-year-old mycologist in India was infected by a plant fungus called Chondrostereum purpureum, the first such case reported in humans.
• According to doctors, the fungus causes a disease called silver leaf disease in plants, because of which the leaves of a plant, particularly the rose plant, turn silverish in colour and the entire plant eventually dies.
• The man who contracted the infection worked with a variety of fungi and mushrooms as part of his job. According to doctors, coming in close contact with the fungi caused him to contract the infection.
• The symptoms of the infection included anorexia, cough, pharyngitis and a hoarse voice. On conducting tests, doctors also discovered the presence of an abscess in the patient.