Replies

mold-like fungus
a "mold" is a fungus

The American Optometric Association states that the etiology of the disease is unknown
http://www.aoa.org/documents/FungalKeratitisSupplement.pdf

Fungi were isolated from 10 out of 159 cases of keratitis, 7 isolates of F. oxysporum, 2 isolates of F. solani, and one unidentified Fusarium species was identified
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12792470&dopt=Abstract

Plant pathogenic F. oxysporum species generally become systemic through the xylem of the plant, causing "wilt"-type diseases. Pathogenicity is presumed to be due to endopolygalacturonase activity, but the relationships are not entirely clear among the different forma speciales. This is usually identified based upon pathogenicity tests.

To say that the species mutates readily, is a bit disingenuous. Within a forma specialis, an isolate may mutate to form a new pathotype. For example, a formerly tomato plant resistant to the wild-type pathotype may then become susceptible to the new pathotype. I am certainly not aware of one forma specialis acquiring or mutating to pathogenicity to a forma specialis that is pathogenic to a new host plant.

Note to all crevos - leave me alone here.

ARS could not support release of the fungal strain, largely due to the fact that it was not effective for killing cannibis
http://www.globalhemp.com/Archives/Magazines/operation_eradicate.html

Fusarium species, like all fungi, require moisture to grow. I can certainly imagine that behind a contact lens would be a great place to grow. Probably got some contamination in the cleaning solution, or that environment selected for a strain that could grow within the particular conditions in the solution/tears. Someone else may be able to elaborate on that.

People who are immuno-compromised tend to be prone to various fungal infections, so the presence of any specific fungal infection tends to be opportunistic, whereas the body would normally be able to resist. For example:
http://dermnetnz.org/fungal/fungi-general.html
To imagine that a plant pathogenic fungus would mutate to an active, rather than opportunistic human pathogen is a real stretch.

We are surrounded by hundreds or thousands of fungal species every day. Fungi are everywhere in the environment in which we live.

Despite the predisposition of immuno-compromized people to various fungi, the EPA has registered a non-mycotoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus for widespread release (over 20,000 acres) as a biocontrol of mycotoxin-producing types, so we have no real problems with widespread release of fungi for specific purposes.
http://www.cottonseed.com/members/NewsletterArchive/2003/20030709.asp

So overall, the article pulled out bits and pieces of truths and half truths, and strung them together to make a nice story that seemed to be a potential killer fungus that may cause eye infection, and that the mean old USA wanted to spray to kill pot and kids, but held off at the last minute because of the children. In reality, the fungus was not effective, and made for good politics by Columbia.

Sorry about my earlier post in which nothing was elaborated on. Hope this helps.