FIRST REPORT OF OCCURRENCE OF HUMAN PATHOGENIC FUNGUS, BLASTOMYCES (AJELLOMYCETACEAE; ONYGENALES) IN RAVI RIVER, LAHORE

Abstract

The Ravi River is considered as one of the eastern tributaries of the Indus River. The overall state of water quality is currently poor, owing mostly due to the direct discharge of household and industrial effluents into the river via a network of drains. Certain microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi are found in the water of this river. Blastomyces dermatitidis has been isolated twice, characterized, and studied from the water of Ravi River of Lahore. Blastomyces dermatitidis causes blastomycosis which primarily affects the lungs; it frequently disseminates and affects the skin, osteoarticular tissues, the genitourinary system, and other organs. Its conidia cause respiratory diseases i.e., Blastomycosis in humans and animals. One can easily get infected from this fungus if he even takes a bath from this water. As a result of the poor water quality, the river's ecosystem is not promising for the aquatic and human life and surrounding environment.