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Updated: Sep 29, 2025
Live Imaging of Antifungal Activity by Human Primary Neutrophils and Monocytes in Response to A. fumigatus
Published on: April 19, 2017
Novel Insights into Aspergillus fumigatus Pathogenesis and Host Response from State-of-the-Art Imaging of
Sébastien C Ortiz1, Katie Pennington1, Darren D Thomson2
1Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Core Technology Facility, Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.
Abstract:
Aspergillus fumigatus spores initiate more than 3,000,000 chronic and 300,000 invasive diseases annually, worldwide. Depending on the immune status of the host, inhalation of these spores can lead to a broad spectrum of disease, including invasive aspergillosis, which carries a 50% mortality rate overall; however, this mortality rate increases substantially if the infection is caused by azole-resistant strains or diagnosis is delayed or missed. Increasing resistance to existing antifungal treatments is becoming a major concern; for example, resistance to azoles (the first-line available oral drug against Aspergillus species) has risen by 40% since 2006. Despite high morbidity and mortality, the lack of an in-depth understanding of A. fumigatus pathogenesis and host response has hampered the development of novel therapeutic strategies for the clinical management of fungal infections. Recent advances in sample preparation, infection models and imaging techniques applied in vivo have addressed important gaps in fungal research, whilst questioning existing paradigms. This review highlights the successes and further potential of these recent technologies in understanding the host-pathogen interactions that lead to aspergillosis.
Insights
Aspergillus fumigatus infections cause millions of diseases annually. Recent technological advances are improving our understanding of host-pathogen interactions in aspergillosis, aiding new treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Host-Pathogen Interactions
Background:
- * *Aspergillus fumigatus* spores cause over 3.3 million chronic and invasive diseases globally each year.
- * Invasive aspergillosis has a high mortality rate, exacerbated by azole resistance and diagnostic delays.
- * Rising antifungal resistance, particularly to azoles, poses a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To review recent technological advancements in understanding *A. fumigatus* pathogenesis.
- * To highlight how these technologies improve insights into host-pathogen interactions in aspergillosis.
- * To discuss the potential for developing novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- * Review of recent literature on technological advances in fungal research.
- * Focus on innovations in sample preparation, infection models, and in vivo imaging.
- * Analysis of how these methods address knowledge gaps in aspergillosis.
Main Results:
- * Advanced techniques are filling critical gaps in understanding fungal pathogenesis.
- * New technologies are enabling deeper insights into host-pathogen dynamics.
- * Current research is challenging existing paradigms in fungal infection research.
Conclusions:
- * Technological progress is crucial for advancing the study of aspergillosis.
- * Improved understanding of host-pathogen interactions can drive novel therapies.
- * Further application of these technologies holds significant promise for clinical management.
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