Chronological aging in conidia of pathogenic Aspergillus: Comparison between species

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 4, 2026

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung
15:01

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

Manuela Oliveira1, Clara Pereira2, Cláudia Bessa2

  • 1Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade Do Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal; Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Journal of Microbiological Methods
|September 6, 2015
PubMed

Insights

This study reveals that Aspergillus conidia aging involves apoptosis and necrosis. Aspergillus niger resists environmental aging, while Aspergillus fumigatus survives longer at human body temperatures, informing aspergillosis treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Cell Biology
  • Environmental Microbiology

Background:

  • Aspergillus species are common airborne fungi causing human infections.
  • The aging mechanisms and environmental persistence of Aspergillus conidia remain largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conidial aging processes in four pathogenic Aspergillus species.
  • To compare the aging resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. terreus, and A. niger under different temperature conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Chronological aging experiments were conducted on Aspergillus conidia.
  • Conidia were exposed to environmental and human body temperatures (37 °C).
  • Apoptosis, metacaspase activation, DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species production, and secondary necrosis were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Aspergillus conidia aging involves apoptosis, metacaspase activation, DNA fragmentation, ROS production, and secondary necrosis.
  • Aspergillus niger exhibited the highest resistance to aging under environmental conditions.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus showed the longest lifespan at 37 °C, indicating adaptation to human body temperature.
  • Aspergillus flavus and A. terreus were more sensitive to aging under environmental conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Conidial aging in Aspergillus species is a complex process involving programmed cell death pathways.
  • Species-specific differences in aging resistance correlate with environmental and host adaptation.
  • Understanding Aspergillus conidia aging provides insights for developing novel aspergillosis treatments.
Keywords:
Aspergillus speciesChronological agingConidiaEnvironmentFungal diseasesHuman body temperature

More Related Videos

Measuring Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Human Leukocytes using Flow Cytometry09:43

Measuring Phagocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia by Human Leukocytes using Flow Cytometry

Published on: December 7, 2019

7.5K
Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus nidulans Growth Rate using Live Microscopy and Open-Source Software11:30

Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus nidulans Growth Rate using Live Microscopy and Open-Source Software

Published on: July 24, 2021

4.3K

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...
2.4K
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...
2.1K
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...
727
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...
2.4K