Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
09:52

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis

Published on: March 9, 2018

Immune interaction between Aspergillus fumigatus and non-tuberculous mycobacteria

Hotaka Namie1, Takahiro Takazono1,2, Satoshi Irifune2

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan.

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
|May 20, 2026
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) enhance Aspergillus growth and colonization by impairing immune cells. Aspergillus, in turn, hinders host defense against NTM, suggesting co-infections worsen disease.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is rising globally.
  • Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis often complicates NTM-PD, leading to poor outcomes.
  • Mechanisms of interaction between Aspergillus and NTM are poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the interaction between Aspergillus fumigatus and NTM.
  • Identify mechanisms driving co-colonization and disease progression.
  • Inform novel therapeutic strategies for NTM-PD and aspergillosis.

Main Methods:

  • Assessed Aspergillus fumigatus growth in NTM culture supernatants.
  • Quantified macrophage phagocytosis of Aspergillus and Mycobacterium avium.
  • Evaluated fungal clearance in a mouse model of NTM infection.

Main Results:

  • NTM supernatants promoted Aspergillus growth and reduced macrophage phagocytosis of Aspergillus.
  • Aspergillus secondary metabolites impaired macrophage phagocytosis of Mycobacterium avium.
  • Prior NTM infection delayed fungal clearance in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • NTM enhance Aspergillus growth and colonization by impairing macrophage function.
  • Aspergillus suppresses host defense against NTM through secondary metabolites.
  • Microbial cross-modulation creates a niche for co-colonization, potentially worsening disease.
Keywords:
Mycobacterium aviumdisease progressionlung diseasesmacrophagesnon-tuberculous mycobacteriaphagocytosispulmonary aspergillosis

More Related Videos

Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure10:33

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

Published on: May 27, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II01:28

Pulmonary Tuberculosis II

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While its primary impact is on the lungs, leading to pulmonary tuberculosis, it can also affect various other organs, a condition referred to as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism01:27

Combined Effects of Drugs: Synergism

Synergism is a useful mechanism where combining two or more drugs is more effective than each constituent used alone. Such combinations are also called supra-additive interactions. The drugs collectively enhance the final therapeutic effect by acting on different targets. Another advantage is that the low dose of each constituent drug is sufficient to achieve the desired effect. This helps reduce the duration of therapy and lower the adverse effects of these drugs.
Such synergistic combinations...
Microbial Interactions: Mutualism01:25

Microbial Interactions: Mutualism

Mutualism is a symbiotic interaction in which all participating organisms benefit. These relationships can be obligate or facultative and are fundamental to ecosystem functions across diverse biological systems.Plant–Fungi MutualismOne well-known example is the association between plant roots and mycorrhizal fungi, such as Rhizophagus species. The fungal hyphae penetrate the root hairs and the epidermis, forming an extensive hyphal network that establishes a symbiotic association. Through this...
Microbial Interactions: Cooperation01:26

Microbial Interactions: Cooperation

Microbial cooperation involves beneficial interactions in which different species work together for individual or mutual advantage. These interactions can profoundly influence ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes, and they are essential to many pathogenic and symbiotic relationships.Nematode–Bacteria CooperationA striking example is the relationship between the Gram-negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Juvenile nematodes...