Aspergillus fumigatus
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 A conidophore of A. fumigatus.
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| Aspergillus fumigatus Fresenius 1863 |
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.
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[edit] Pathogenesis
A. fumigatus is common in the natural environment and can also be found in the upper respiratory tracts of healthy individuals.[1] Exposure to A. fumigatus in immunocompromised individuals can lead to aspergillosis, a pulmonary infection. Leukemia or bone marrow transplant patients are at particular risk.[1] 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 [2].
A. fumigatus is also the causative pathogen in stonebrood, a disease of honeybees.
[edit] Genome
The genome sequences of three Aspergillus species—A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, and A. oryzae—were published in the journal Nature in December 2005.[3],[4],[5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Washington JA (1996). Principles of Diagnosis. In: Barron's Medical Microbiology (Barron S et al, eds.), 4th ed., Univ of Texas Medical Branch. (via NCBI Bookshelf) ISBN 0-9631172-1-1.
- ^ Rementaria A et al (2005). "Genes and molecules involved in Aspergillus fumigatus virulence". Rev Iberoam Micol 22 (1): 1-23. PMID 15813678.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Nierman WC et al (2005). "Genomic sequence of the pathogenic and allergenic filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus". Nature 438 (7071): 1151-6. PMID 16372009.
- ^ Machida M et al (2005). "Genome sequencing and analysis of Aspergillus oryzae". Nature 438 (7071): 1157-61. PMID 16372010.
[edit] External links
- The Aspergillus Trust A registered UK charity engaged in support of sufferers of aspergillus disease worldwide and research into cures
- The Fungal Research Trust
- Aspergillus info from DoctorFungus.org
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