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4 key things to know about lung infections caused by fungi

News that three kinds of fungi are more widespread than thought prompted reader questions

medical illustration of a human body with lungs and a zoom in view that shows Blastomyces fungal spores in the lungs

Blastomycosis, which mainly affects the lungs (illustrated here), is an infection caused by Blastomyces fungi. Such fungal infections are becoming more widespread.

KATERYNA KON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/getty images plus

By Tina Hesman Saey

Some fungi that can cause serious lung infections have spread to many parts of the United States. A Science News story on the expanded range of Histoplasma, Coccidioides and Blastomyces fungi hit a nerve with a lot of readers (SN: 1/4/22).