Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillosis: Difference between revisions
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===Transmission=== | ===Transmission=== | ||
<i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> is primarily transmitted through the inhalation of fungal spores, called conidia [[#References|[2]]]. After inhalation, the conidia are removed from the lungs through mucociliary clearance. However, those that are not successfully removed then encounter the epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract, specifically the alveoli. | |||
===Virulence Factors=== | ===Virulence Factors=== | ||
Revision as of 10:23, 26 July 2015
Etiology/Bacteriology
Taxonomy
Superkingdom = Eukaryota
Kingdom = Fungi
Subkingdom = Dikarya
Phylum = Ascomycota
Subphylum = Pezizomycotina
Class = Eurotiomycetes
Subclass = Eurotiomycetidae
Order = Eurotiales
Family = Aspergillaceae
Genus = Aspergillus
Species = A. fumigatus
[1]
Description
Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprophytic fungus, can opportunistically cause a multitude of diseases in humans [2]. A. fumigatus, which primarily lives in soil and decaying vegetation, can be dispersed through the air as asexual spores, known as conidia. Because of this, humans usually get infected with the fungus by inhaling these conidia. In a given day someone inhales an average of 200 A. fumigatus spores [2]. In heathy individuals, the innate immune system kills all of the conidia that the body encounters; however, in immunocompromised individuals A. fumigatus infection is a serious concern.
Pathogenesis
Transmission
Aspergillus fumigatus is primarily transmitted through the inhalation of fungal spores, called conidia [2]. After inhalation, the conidia are removed from the lungs through mucociliary clearance. However, those that are not successfully removed then encounter the epithelial cells that line the respiratory tract, specifically the alveoli.
Virulence Factors
Clinical Features
Symptoms
Morbidity and Mortality
Host Immune Response
A. Fumigatus begins its life cycle with asexual reproduction, producing airborne spores, called conidia [2]. If these spores are inhaled by individual with a properly working immune system, the spores find their way to the bronchioles and alveoli. The overwhelming majority of the spores are removed via mucociliary clearance, and those that remain are phagocytized by macrophages, which also trigger an inflammatory response.
Treatment
References
1. UniProt. Taxonomy: Species Aspergillus fumigatus. Available at http://www.uniprot.org/taxonomy/746128.
2. Dagenais T and Keller N. Pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus in Invasive Aspergillosis. Clin Microbial Rev. doi: 10.1128/CMR.00055-08. http://cmr.asm.org/content/22/3/447.full.
