Question

The main human defense against fungal infections is a very strong immune reaction against fungi. What is the powdery dust produced when the boys kicked the giant puffball? Why would the powdery children who were immune compromised? Be sure you understand the difference between alergy and and immune failure.

Answer 1

• Allergy, in other words, is known as Hypersensitivity where the immune system of the body reacts immensely towards a foreign body.
• Immunocompromised individuals lack a well-functioning immune system that does not recognise the foreign antigens and the individuals are easily susceptible to various infections and diseases.
• Puffballs are fungi belong to the division Basidiomycota.These fungi form fruiting bodies which produce many spores and on physical contact, spores are released into the air and are easily inhaled in huge number when in proximity.
• In a hypersensitive individual when the spores land on the mucosal nasal membrane and finally reach the lung it triggers an immune response, which involves excessive secretion of histamines, production of mucus which may block the air supply, inflammation and narrowing of the air tracts thus making it difficult to breathe and often other symptoms such as nausea ,vomiting follow
• These fungal spores block alveoli and may germinate in the moist environment the lung provides and are poisonous for the individual.
• Hence, in an immunocompromised individual in whom an immune response is in deficit, the individual suffers from the poison of the fungi and it further progresses into a lethal systemic infection and needs immediate medical attention with antifungal agents.