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Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.

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Aspergillus fumigatus

Introduction

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus of the genus Aspergillus, and is one of the most common Aspergillus species to cause disease in immunocompromised individuals.

A. fumigatus has a stable haploid genome, with no known sexual cycle, and reproduces by forming conidiospores that are released into the environment. Capable of growth at 37°C (human body temperature), spores are common inhalation pollutants; typically, however, these are quickly eliminated by the immune system in healthy individuals.

When the fermentation broth of A. fumigatus was screened, a number of indolic alkaloids with anti-mitotic properties were discovered.[1] The compounds of interest have been of a class known as tryprostatins, with spirotryprostatin B being of special interest as an anti-cancer drug.

Pathogenesis

Pathogenesis

A. fumigatus is common in the natural environment and can also be found in the upper respiratory tracts of healthy individuals.[2] Exposure to A. fumigatus in immunocompromised individuals can lead to aspergillosis, a pulmonary infection. Leukemia or bone marrow transplant patients are at particular risk.[2] Symptoms can include fever, weakness, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, aches, a heart murmur, blood in the urine or abnormal urine color, and straight, narrow red lines of broken blood vessels under the nails. Several virulence factors had been described [3].

A. fumigatus is also the causative pathogen in stonebrood, a disease of honeybees.

Genome

Genome

The genome sequences of three Aspergillus species—A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, and A. oryzae—were published in the journal Nature in December 2005.[4],[5],[6]

File:Aspergillus fumigatus.jpg
Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from woodland soil
See also

See also

References

References

  1. ↑ Cui CB; et al. (1996). “Spirotryprostatin B, a novel mammalian cell cycle inhibitor produced by Aspergillus fumigatus”. J. Antibiot. 49: 832–835. PMID 8823522.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington JA (1996). Principles of Diagnosis. In: Barron’s Medical Microbiology (Barron S et al, eds.) (4th ed. ed.). Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
  3. ↑ Rementaria A; et al. (2005). “Genes and molecules involved in Aspergillus fumigatus virulence”. Rev Iberoam Micol. 22 (1): 1–23. PMID 15813678.
  4. ↑ Galagan JE; et al. (2005). “Sequencing of Aspergillus nidulans and comparative analysis with A. fumigatus and A. oryzae“. Nature. 438 (7071): 1105–15. PMID 16372000.
  5. ↑ Nierman WC; et al. (2005). “Genomic sequence of the pathogenic and allergenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus“. Nature. 438 (7071): 1151–6. PMID 16372009.
  6. ↑ Machida M; et al. (2005). “Genome sequencing and analysis of Aspergillus oryzae“. Nature. 438 (7071): 1157–61. PMID 16372010.
External links

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