Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
10:33

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure

Published on: May 27, 2022

7.5K

Aspergillus fumigatus and related species

Janyce A Sugui1, Kyung J Kwon-Chung1, Praveen R Juvvadi2

  • 1Laboratory of Clinical Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.

Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|November 8, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillosis, a disease caused by Aspergillus fungi, presents varied symptoms. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause, particularly in immunocompromised patients, requiring early diagnosis and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The genus Aspergillus comprises fungi responsible for aspergillosis, a spectrum of diseases.
  • Clinical presentations range from allergic responses to life-threatening invasive infections.
  • Immunocompromised individuals are particularly susceptible to aspergillosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the genus Aspergillus and its role in causing aspergillosis.
  • To highlight the significance of Aspergillus fumigatus as the primary pathogen.
  • To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for invasive aspergillosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Aspergillus species and aspergillosis.
  • Analysis of clinical manifestations and risk factors.
  • Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent and pathogenic species.
  • Other significant species include Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus terreus.
  • Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis progresses rapidly, especially in at-risk populations.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of aspergillosis hinges on early diagnosis, accurate species identification, and appropriate antifungal therapy.
  • Understanding the basic biology of Aspergillus is crucial for advancing disease control and treatment.
  • Further research into Aspergillus pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions is warranted.

More Related Videos

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis09:52

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis

Published on: March 9, 2018

11.2K
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung15:01

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung

Published on: September 18, 2021

3.9K

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
2.5K
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
2.2K
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
2.1K
Overview of Fungi01:29

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
2.6K
Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to...
106
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
771