Rare Brain-Infecting Fungus Detected More Frequently in the United States
A rare mold called Cladophialophora bantiana, which often causes brain abscesses and has historically killed 60 to 70 percent of patients, is being detected more frequently in the United States. A CDC and University of Washington report counted 48 confirmed and one probable infection from January 2009 through July 2026 across 21 states and Washington, D.C., with annual cases rising to eight in 2024 and 14 in 2025. About half of those infected had no known immune-weakening condition, and researchers say the cause of the increase is unclear.
The pathogen is unusual because it can sicken people whose immune systems appear normal, not only those already vulnerable to invasive fungal disease. In the new tally, the median age was 68, and cases spanned 21 states plus Washington, D.C. Between 2009 and 2023, annual laboratory detections stayed low, at one to five, before jumping to eight in 2024 and 14 in 2025.
Most infections—43 of 49—were identified in tissue from within the skull, while six came from lung samples. The lung findings support the idea that breathing in spores may be one route. Investigators still lack a clear environmental source or common exposure pattern, and the report says the reason for the rise is unknown.
Count words. First para: The(1) pathogen2 is3 unusual4 because5 it6 can7 sicken8 people9 whose10 immune11 systems12 appear13 normal,14 not15 only16 those17 already18 vulnerable19 to20 invasive21 fungal22 disease.23 In24 the25 new26 tally,27 the28 median29 age30 was31 68,32 and33 cases34 spanned35 21? Actually "21" word? states36 plus37 Washington,38 D.C.39 Between40 2009? number word? and41 2023,42 annual43 laboratory44 detections45 stayed46 low,47 at48 one49 to50 five,51 before52 jumping53 to54 eight55 in56 2024? and57 14? in58 2025.59. First para 59. Second: Most1 infections—43? maybe "Most infections—43 of 49—were" count Most1 infections2 43? 3 of4 49?5 were6 identified7 in8 tissue9 from10 within11 the12 skull,13 while14 six15 came16 from17 lung18 samples.19 The20 lung21 findings22 support2
... Need no markdown? Plain text. Fine. Need check "under 120 words total" for EXPANDED. We have 114. Good. "2 short paragraphs" yes. "under 90 words" context 74. Good. Potential issue: "43 of 49" source says 43 of 49 infections, or 88%, were detected in tissue from inside skull, while six were found in lung specimens. We wrote "Most infections—43 of 49—were identified..." Good. But "Most infections—43 of 49—were" uses em dash. Fine. Potential issue: "The pathogen is unusual because it can sicken people whose immune systems appear normal" Source: about half no known immune-weakening condition; capable of infecting apparently healthy people. Good. Potential issue: "not only those already vulnerable to invasive fungal disease" Source: not just immunocompromised patients in whom normally worry about invasive fungal disease. Good. Potential issue: "median age was 68" source median patient age 68. Good. Potential issue: "annual laboratory detections stayed low, at one to five" source