Samples from U.S. retailers found high levels of drug-resistant fungi in gardening supplies like flower bulbs, compost and soil The species of fungus observed can be very dangerous if spores are inhaled by a person with a weakened immune system Wearing an N-95 mask while gardening could cut the risk WEDNESDAY, June 26, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- A tough-to-treat, drug-resistant fungal infection may be as close as your local garden center, new research shows.
Investigators at the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens found high levels of multidrug-resistant fungi in compost, soil and flower bulbs sold at popular retailers. “Gardening is a nice, stress-relieving hobby. But I’m nervous for people who may not be aware that working with compost and flower bulbs could pose a risk to their health," said study lead author .
She's a professor in UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The fungus in question is which lives in soil naturally but can trigger illness if inhaled. People with healthy immune systems can probably fight off the fungus, but folks with compromised immune systems could get very sick and even die if they encounter a variant that's become resistant to multiple anti-fungal drugs.
People who may immunocompromised are those battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( ), cystic fibrosis, type 2 diabetes, HIV/AIDS and COVID-19. Anyone taking immunosuppressants -- for example, cancer patients or people who have undergone an organ transplant -- .
