ICVS researcher Agostinho Carvalho is co-author of a study recently published in Nature that explains why some people are more likely to develop mucormycosis, a rare and often deadly fungal infection also known as “black fungus.” This infection gained global attention following its surge in India during the second wave of COVID-19.
Led by Prof. Georgios Chamilos from the University of Crete (Greece), the study shows that albumin, the most common protein in our blood, plays a key role in defending the body against these dangerous fungi. People with low albumin levels are much more vulnerable to infection, and this condition predicts worse outcomes for patients.
Agostinho Carvalho
Albumin protects the body by carrying special fatty acids that stop the fungus from producing toxins and spreading in the body. When albumin is low or the fatty acids are damaged, the fungus can become aggressive and harmful.
These discoveries help explain why people with COVID-19, diabetes, or other metabolic disorders are at higher risk for mucormycosis. They also point to new ways to detect patients at risk and develop treatments that strengthen the body’s natural defense against this deadly infection. Based on these findings, the team is currently implementing a phase II clinical trial to evaluate whether albumin given to patients with low levels can strengthen immunity and prevent or treat mucormycosis.
Read the full study here: Nature, 2026.
