Aspergillus fumigatus
From DrugPedia: A Wikipedia for Drug discovery
Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungus of the genus Aspergillus, and is one of the most common Aspergillus species to cause disease in immuno-compromised individuals. A. fumigatus is a saprotroph that is widespread in nature, typically found in soil and decaying organic matter such as compost heaps, where it plays an essential role in carbon and nitrogen recycling.
| Kingdom | Fungi |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Ascomycota |
| Class | Eurotiomycetes |
| Order | Eurotiales |
| Family | Trichocomaceae |
| Genus | Aspergillus |
| Species | A. fumigatus |
| Binomial | Aspergillus fumigatus |
Contents |
[edit] Surface Characteristics
The cell surface consists of various polysaccharides such as galactomannans.Galactomannan is composed of a branched core containing α(1-->2)- and α(1-->6)-linked mannose, with β(1-->5)galactofuranose and/or β(1-->4)galactopyranose moieties linked linearly in side chains terminated by galactofuranose nonreducing end units
[edit] Pathogenic Activity
Its adverse effects on the animals cause a deadly disease called aspergillosis. Because the spores of this organism are found virtually everywhere, anyone can be at risk. Just breathing can cause onset of the disease. Most of the time, it is found in soil habitats, construction areas, or other dusty environments.
[edit] Virulence
The fungus is capable of growth at 37 °C/99 °F (normal human body temperature), and can grow at temperatures up to 50 °C/122 °F, with conidia surviving at 70 °C/158 °F—conditions it regularly encounters in self-heating compost heaps. Its spores are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and it is estimated that everybody inhales several hundred spores each day
