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Updated: May 16, 2026
Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Inflammation in aspergillosis: the good, the bad, and the therapeutic
Agostinho Carvalho1, Cristina Cunha, Rossana G Iannitti
1Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Abstract:
Aspergillosis includes a spectrum of diseases caused by different Aspergillus spp. New insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of resistance and immune tolerance to the fungus in infection and allergy have been obtained in experimental settings. The fact that virulence factors, traditionally viewed as fungal attributes, are contingent upon microbial adaptation to various environmental stresses encountered in the human host implies that the host and fungus are jointly responsible for pathogenicity. Ultimately, despite the occurrence of severe aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients, clinical evidence indicates that aspergillosis also occurs in the setting of a heightened inflammatory response, in which immunity occurs at the expense of host damage and pathogen eradication. Thus, targeting pathogenicity rather than microbial growth, tolerance rather than resistance mechanisms of defense may pave the way to targeted anti-inflammatory strategies in difficult-to-treat patients. The challenge now is to translate promising results from experimental models to the clinic.
Insights
Aspergillosis, a fungal disease, involves complex host-fungus interactions. Targeting pathogenicity and immune tolerance, not just fungal growth, may offer new treatments for difficult cases.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Immunology
- Pathogenesis
Background:
- Aspergillosis encompasses diverse diseases caused by Aspergillus species.
- Recent research explores cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune resistance and tolerance to Aspergillus.
- Pathogenicity arises from a dynamic interplay between fungal adaptation and host responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the complex host-pathogen interactions in aspergillosis.
- To investigate mechanisms of immune resistance and tolerance to Aspergillus.
- To identify novel therapeutic targets beyond direct antifungal activity.
Main Methods:
- Experimental models were used to study host-fungus interactions.
- Cellular and molecular mechanisms of immune responses were investigated.
- Clinical observations were considered to bridge experimental findings with patient care.
Main Results:
- Virulence factors are influenced by fungal adaptation to host environmental stresses.
- Aspergillosis can occur in patients with heightened inflammatory responses.
- Immunity can sometimes lead to host damage and incomplete pathogen clearance.
Conclusions:
- Host and fungus share responsibility for aspergillosis pathogenicity.
- Targeting pathogenicity and immune tolerance mechanisms may be beneficial.
- Developing targeted anti-inflammatory strategies could aid difficult-to-treat aspergillosis patients.
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