The 2012 Fungal Meningitis Outbreak in the United States: Connections Between Soils and Human Health

Abstract

In September of 2012 the United States found itself facing a fungal meningitis outbreak that was traced back to contaminated steroid injections. The fungus Exserohilium rostratum, which is found in soil, among other locations in the environment, was identified as the main cause of the health issues created by the contaminated steroids. As of 17 Dec. 2012 there were 594 cases of fungal meningitis, stroke due to presumed fungal meningitis, or other central nervous system‐related infections, 26 cases of peripheral joint infections, and 39 deaths linked to the contaminated steroids documented. However, the life cycle and soil ecology of E. rostratum is not well understood, and such knowledge would aid human health professionals in understanding the pathogenic potential of E. rostratum. Therefore, soil scientists have a role to play in developing the most effective ways to combat human health challenges such as the 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak.

The Potential Impact of Climate Change on Soil Properties and Processes and Corresponding Influence on Food Security

“…Therefore, it is critical that we support continued research into these areas, with the particular goal of understanding the complex interactions that take place in the natural environment. This type of research is beyond the scope of a single discipline to address, interdisciplinary teams capable of addressing complex issues will be essential [113]. It is also important to note that there is an imbalance in terms of who will suffer most from climate change.…”

Safety of Water Used in Food Production

“…Around 300 soil fungi species, out of the vast numbers of more than 100,000 fungi species that occur in soils, are known to cause disease in humans (Bultman et al, 2005;Nieder et al, 2018). For instance, the soil fungus Exserohilium rostratum caused a fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States in 2012 (Brevik and Burgess, 2013). Most of the protozoans that are found in soil feed on organic matter, including bacteria and algae; however, a few of these cause human parasitic diseases like diarrhea and amebic dysentery (Brevik et al, 2018).…”

Soil mapping, classification, and pedologic modeling: History and future directions

“…Soil pathogens are part of the soil ecosystem and often have known spatial distributions. Improved mapping and understanding of soil properties and their interaction with soil organisms has the potential to lead to breakthroughs in preventing or treating related diseases (Brevik and Burgess, 2013). Through voluntary or involuntary ingestion, inhalation and dermal absorption, humans are directly exposed to the mineral, chemical and biological components of soils (Brevik and Sauer, 2015), which can either be beneficial or detrimental to human health (Abrahams, 2002).…”