Rare Fungal Infection Cases Rose in U.S. Lab Report
Data identified a spike in a serious, often fatal, rare fungal infection primarily affecting older adults.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Diseases — General
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A clinical reference laboratory identified 49 cases of Cladophialophora bantiana infection across the United States between 2009 and 2026. The annual detection rate for this rare, serious fungal disease increased significantly by 2025.
Why it matters
Understanding this trend is critical because C. bantiana carries a case-fatality rate of up to 70%, making early identification and clinical awareness essential for patient outcomes. The data suggests that current detected cases may only represent a portion of the true infection incidence.
A clinical reference laboratory report covering 2009 through 2026 identified 49 cases of C. bantiana. Researchers noted the case rate climbed to 26 cases per 1,000 specimens in 2025, up from 8.4 cases per 1,000 specimens in the 2017-2023 period.
The players
University of Washington
The institution that hosted the clinical reference laboratory responsible for identifying and reporting these fungal infection cases.
The details
This rare fungus typically enters the body through the inhalation of spores or via direct inoculation after a cutaneous injury. Once in the body, the infection has a high affinity for the central nervous system, where 88% of identified cases were detected in tissue specimens. Diagnosis is generally achieved through the molecular testing of tissue samples, with lung involvement accounting for the remaining 12% of identified cases.
Timeline
Annual case counts remained between one and five from 2009 to 2023.
Eight cases were identified in 2024.
The lab identified 14 cases in 2025.
The total reporting period extended from January 2009 through July 2026.
Health Landscape
This finding updates the historical baseline for C. bantiana, which has long been considered an exceptionally rare pathogen. The rising detection rate highlights the evolving challenge of identifying serious fungal infections that primarily impact older populations.
The median patient age of 68 in this study suggests that older adults, or those with underlying health conditions, should be aware of rare, persistent fungal infections. If you experience unusual neurological symptoms, it is worth discussing the possibility of rare infections with your doctor.
The takeaway
While this rare fungal infection remains uncommon, the rising case counts underscore the importance of rapid diagnostic molecular testing for suspected cases. Keep this risk profile in mind if you or a family member face persistent, unexplained symptoms that warrant advanced investigation.
Further reading
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