A 61-year-old Florida man’s unexplained 50lb weight loss was traced to a deadly fungal infection from bat feces. The man, who suffered severe health complications, is now recovering with long-term antifungal treatment.
Florida, Bollywood Fever: A Florida man who lost 50 pounds without trying was shocked to discover his weight loss was caused by a deadly fungus found in bat feces. The 61-year-old, whose name remains undisclosed, finally sought medical help after enduring night sweats, extreme fatigue, and fever for nearly ten months.
Tests revealed an infection with the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, with levels about 25 times higher than detectable in a standard blood test. This fungus had infiltrated his heart, caused widespread inflammation, enlarged his spleen, and led to the growth of two masses on his adrenal glands.
Doctors noted in a case report that the man was fortunate to survive, given his pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat. Severe Histoplasma infection is 100% fatal if untreated in immunocompromised individuals, whereas COVID-19 is deadly in less than 0.1% of cases.
The patient, who worked as a building supervisor and owned a 16-acre farm where he raised calves, had not traveled outside Florida recently and reported no contact with birds or bats. Despite the rarity of such infections in Florida, the fungus, typically found in bird and bat feces, can also contaminate soil and remain viable for years.
The case report highlighted: “The fungus requires an environment that will support its growth, which commonly includes areas with large amounts of bird or bat excrement, or typically under chicken coops.” This detail pointed to his farm soil as the likely source of exposure.
The man underwent heart surgeries to repair the damage and received intravenous medication for two weeks. However, complications led to his admission to the intensive care unit for six days, where he experienced anemia and deteriorating kidney function.
After recovering, he was sent home on long-term antifungal treatment. Follow-up visits showed a cessation of symptoms and decreasing levels of Histoplasma in his blood.
Histoplasmosis cases are not reportable in some states, so the exact incidence is unclear. In reporting states, the infection rate is typically one to two cases per 100,000 people.
Following the report of his illness, the Department of Health requested soil samples from the man’s farm, which were still pending at the time of the case report’s publication last month.
Also Read Other Articles, Manila Bay Oil Spill Threatens Fishermen’s Livelihood and Health
Donald Trump Agrees to FBI Interview in Attempted Assassination Investigation
Philippines Increases Defence Budget to $4.38 Billion Amid South China Sea Tensions