Aspergillus fumigatus is a species of fungus in the genus Aspergillus, and is one of the most common Aspergillus species to cause disease in individuals with an immunodeficiency.
Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprotroph widespread in nature, is typically found in soil and decaying organic matter, such as compost heaps, where it plays an essential role in carbon and nitrogen recycling.[1] Colonies of the fungus produce from conidiophores; thousands of minute grey-green conidia (2–3 μm) which readily become airborne. For many years, A. fumigatus was thought to only reproduce asexually, as neither mating nor meiosis had ever been observed. In 2008, A. fumigatus was shown to possess a fully functional sexual reproductive cycle, 145 years after its original description by Fresenius.[2] Although A. fumigatus occurs in areas with widely different climates and environments, it displays low genetic variation and a lack of population genetic differentiation on a global scale.[3] Thus, the capability for sex is maintained, though little genetic variation is produced.
The fungus is capable of growth at 37 °C or 99 °F (normal human body temperature), and can grow at temperatures up to 50 °C or 122 °F, with conidia surviving at 70 °C or 158 °F—conditions it regularly encounters in self-heating compost heaps. Its spores are ubiquitous in the atmosphere, and everybody inhales an estimated several hundred spores each day; typically, these are quickly eliminated by the immune system in healthy individuals. In immunocompromised individuals, such as organ transplant recipients and people with AIDS or leukemia, the fungus is more likely to become pathogenic, over-running the host's weakened defenses and causing a range of diseases generally termed aspergillosis. Due to the recent increase in the use of immunosuppressants to treat human illnesses, it is estimated that A. fumigatus may be responsible for over 600,000 deaths annually with a mortality rate between 25 and 90%.[4] Several virulence factors have been postulated to explain this opportunistic behaviour.[5]
When the fermentation broth of A. fumigatus was screened, a number of indolic alkaloids with antimitotic properties were discovered.[6] The compounds of interest have been of a class known as tryprostatins, with spirotryprostatin B being of special interest as an anticancer drug.
Aspergillus fumigatus grown on certain building materials can produce genotoxic and cytotoxic mycotoxins, such as gliotoxin.[7]
^O'Gorman CM, Fuller H, Dyer PS (January 2009). "Discovery of a sexual cycle in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus". Nature. 457 (7228): 471–4. Bibcode:2009Natur.457..471O. doi:10.1038/nature07528. PMID 19043401. S2CID 4371721.
^Rydholm C, Szakacs G, Lutzoni F (April 2006). "Low genetic variation and no detectable population structure in aspergillus fumigatus compared to closely related Neosartorya species". Eukaryotic Cell. 5 (4): 650–7. doi:10.1128/EC.5.4.650-657.2006. PMC 1459663. PMID 16607012.
^Dhingra S, Cramer RA (2017). "Regulation of Sterol Biosynthesis in the Human Fungal Pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus: Opportunities for Therapeutic Development". Frontiers in Microbiology. 8: 92. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.00092. PMC 5285346. PMID 28203225.
^Abad A, Fernández-Molina JV, Bikandi J, Ramírez A, Margareto J, Sendino J, et al. (December 2010). "What makes Aspergillus fumigatus a successful pathogen? Genes and molecules involved in invasive aspergillosis" (PDF). Revista Iberoamericana de Micologia. 27 (4): 155–82. doi:10.1016/j.riam.2010.10.003. PMID 20974273.
^Cui CB, Kakeya H, Osada H (August 1996). "Spirotryprostatin B, a novel mammalian cell cycle inhibitor produced by Aspergillus fumigatus". The Journal of Antibiotics. 49 (8): 832–5. doi:10.7164/antibiotics.49.832. PMID 8823522.
^Nieminen SM, Kärki R, Auriola S, Toivola M, Laatsch H, Laatikainen R, et al. (October 2002). "Isolation and identification of Aspergillus fumigatus mycotoxins on growth medium and some building materials". Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 68 (10): 4871–5. Bibcode:2002ApEnM..68.4871N. doi:10.1128/aem.68.10.4871-4875.2002. PMC 126391. PMID 12324333.
and 29 Related for: Aspergillus fumigatus information
Aspergillusfumigatus is a species of fungus in the genus Aspergillus, and is one of the most common Aspergillus species to cause disease in individuals...
Aspergillus (/ˌæspərˈdʒɪləs/) is a genus consisting of several hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide. Aspergillus was first catalogued...
heterothallism are included for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillusfumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium marneffei and Neurospora crassa. The heterothallic...
may be present. Most fungal ear infections are caused by Aspergillus niger, Aspergillusfumigatus, Penicillium and Candida albicans. Otomycosis commonly...
conditions are susceptible. The spores of Aspergillusfumigatus are ubiquitous in the atmosphere. A. fumigatus is an opportunistic pathogen. It can cause...
treatment. The most frequently identified pathogens are Aspergillusfumigatus and Aspergillus flavus, ubiquitous organisms capable of living under extensive...
Opportunistic infection by molds such as Talaromyces marneffei and Aspergillusfumigatus is a common cause of illness and death among immunocompromised people...
Aspergillus niger is a mold classified within the Nigri section of the Aspergillus genus. The Aspergillus genus consists of common molds found throughout...
the fungus Aspergillus (most commonly Aspergillusfumigatus). It occurs most often in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Aspergillus spores are ubiquitous...
long-term fungal infection caused by members of the genus Aspergillus—most commonly Aspergillusfumigatus. The term describes several disease presentations with...
almonds are less severe when compared to Asia and Africa. After Aspergillusfumigatus, A. flavus is the second-leading cause of aspergillosis. Primary...
solubility, stability and antifungal activity in rats infected with Aspergillusfumigatus or Candida albicans". International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 372...
genera Penicillium and Aspergillus also produce ergot alkaloids, notably some isolates of the human pathogen Aspergillusfumigatus, and have been isolated...
Aspergillosis (IA). The compound is produced by human pathogens such as Aspergillusfumigatus, and also by species of Trichoderma and Penicillium. Gliotoxin has...
Fungi Aspergillus species. Aspergillus has a propensity to cause infection in people with CGD and of the Aspergillus species, Aspergillusfumigatus seems...
aspergillosis, in which the body's response to the common fungus Aspergillusfumigatus causes worsening of breathing problems. Another is infection with...
Fungi responsible for fungal sinusitis are Aspergillusfumigatus (90%), Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus niger. Fungal sinusitis occurs most commonly...
Aspergillus terreus, also known as Aspergillus terrestris, is a fungus (mold) found worldwide in soil. Although thought to be strictly asexual until recently...
Aspergillus lentulus is a species of Aspergillus fungus. It is a close relative of Aspergillusfumigatus. It has smaller conidial heads with diminutive...
Aspergillus pseudofelis is a species of fungus in the genus Aspergillus. It is from the Fumigati section. Several fungi from this section produce heat-resistant...
Livermore J, Whalley S, Johnson A, Farrington N, et al. (August 2017). "Aspergillusfumigatus: New Opportunities for Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Fungal Disease"...
1976. The specific agent nikkomycin Z has weak activity against Aspergillusfumigatus which may be of benefit when used with other medications, such as...
contact lens hygiene or improper storage. Fungal keratitis, caused by Aspergillusfumigatus and Candida albicans (cf. Fusarium, causing an outbreak of keratitis...
than that of two related Aspergillus species, the genetics model organism A. nidulans and the potentially dangerous A. fumigatus. Many of the extra genes...
antimicrobial agent. It was isolated in 1949 from the microbial organism Aspergillusfumigatus. It was originally used against microsporidian parasites Nosema...
infections and has been shown to have antifungal activity against Aspergillusfumigatus. Ebselen is a potent scavenger of hydrogen peroxide as well as hydroperoxides...
lung function and increased risk of opportunistic infections by Aspergillusfumigatus and other fungal pathogens. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are...
Aspergillus waksmanii is a homothallic species of fungus in the genus Aspergillus which has been isolated from soil from New Jersey in the United States...