When these things "take over", are they a) causing distress that just makes the host do things it wouldn't normally, b) taking control by producing hormones that alter behaviour, c) physically taking over the body by replacing nerves/muscles with mycelium and overriding anything the host's brain is trying to do, or d) taking over the brain of the host itself?

I'm not sure which option is the worst one. Each sounds just like a different level of "your body isn't yours anymore" hell.

There was a supplementary paper that noted the AGGT gene string was being activated by this fungal process and led to giantism with some individuals reaching the size of dogs. Growth spurts of this sort in spiders studied were accompanied by hyperactivity due to respiratory problems and an insatiable hunger for flesh. Twelve specimens that seemed most prone to these symptoms are being flown to the Huugens Spider research labs in Baltimore for further study. Results are not expected to be immediate due to problems Baltimore is currently having with its security.

Nightmare fuel

Oh great, Australia is spreading

haha! classic cordyceps :3

Looks like the last of us fungus.