Chondrostereum purpureum

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Context

A Kolkata man is the first known case of Chondrostereum purpureum - a fungal disease that is typical of plants.

What is Chondrostereum purpureum?

Chondrostereum purpureum is a plant fungus that causes silver leaf - a fungal disease of trees.
It attacks mostly species of the rose family. The disease is progressive and often fatal.
It is a pathogen of various deciduous trees including species of Acer, Aesculus, Alnus, Betula, Crataegus, Fagus, Larix, Malus, Ostrya, Picea, Populus, Prunus, Salix, and Sorbus.

Could infect more humans in future

Among the millions of fungi present in the environment, only a few hundred fungi can infect humans and animals.
But the case in Kolkata showed that such fungi might potentially infect healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
If the fungi can escape the phagocytosis pathway and is able to evade the host immune system, then they can establish themselves as human pathogens. Those fungal species that are able to grow at 35–37 °C can become a human pathogen or commensal flora. The pathogen enters the human body through damaged skin and the respiratory tract and can cause infection mostly in immunocompromised individuals.
Global warming, alteration of ecosystem, international travel and commerce, and unplanned urbanization may be responsible for emergence of not only newer fungal infection but also various zoonotic viral and bacterial diseases.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Match the following:

I. Chondrostereum purpureum a. Pathogen

II. Bacillus anthracis b. Bryophytes

III. Chlamydomonas c. Algae

IV. Polytrichum commune d. Fungus

1) I-d, II-c, III-a, IV-b

2) I-d, II- a, III-c, IV-b

3) I-c, II- b, III-d, IV-b

4) I-b, II- a, III-d, IV-c

Correct Answer: Option 2