In a groundbreaking medical discovery, a 61-year-old Indian mycologist has become the first known human to contract silver leaf disease, a fungus typically fatal to plants like pears and roses. The patient presented with a severe throat infection, cough, hoarseness, and difficulty swallowing. A CT scan revealed an abscess near his trachea, with lab tests identifying unusual fungal hyphae. Experts from the World Health Organization’s fungi reference center identified the culprit through DNA analysis. Despite having a healthy immune system, the infection was successfully treated with antifungal agents. This unusual cross-kingdom pathogen case highlights the importance of monitoring plant diseases and their potential impact on human health.
