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Deadly Mold Infections Lurk in Hospitals
30 Jul
Summary
- Invasive mold infections caused nearly 450 hospital cases in Atlanta.
- About a third of infected patients died during their hospital stay.
- COVID-19 survivors and immunocompromised individuals are most at risk.
Invasive mold infections are an underestimated and potentially deadly threat, particularly for immunocompromised patients and those recovering from COVID-19. A U.S. study conducted over five years in Atlanta-area hospitals identified approximately 450 cases, with about one-third of these patients succumbing to the infection while hospitalized.
The research, published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aimed to estimate the prevalence of these illnesses, which are not federally mandated for reporting. Experts suggest that the frequency of fungal infections may increase due to factors like climate change and a growing elderly population, both of which heighten susceptibility.
These rare but severe infections are often contracted by inhaling mold spores, though entry through wounds or contaminated medical equipment is also possible. While most individuals are unaffected by spores, the elderly, cancer patients, and those with weakened immune systems face life-threatening risks. The study's findings provide a crucial benchmark for hospitals to assess their case numbers and identify potential outbreaks.
