Aspergillus
- Introduction. Aspergillus is one of the oldest named genera of fungi. ...
- Physiology and ecology. ...
- Taxonomy. ...
- Mating type loci and sex. ...
- Industrial impact and biotechnology. ...
- Genetics and genomics. ...
Full Answer
What is aspergillosis?
What is aspergillosis? Aspergillosis is a disease caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick. However, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus.
What are the common names of Aspergillus species?
Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus glaucus group, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus ustus, and Aspergillus versicolor are among the other species less commonly isolated as opportunistic pathogens. See the list of obsolete names and synonyms for older names of these species.
What is the phylum of Aspergillus niger?
* In microscopy, the carbon black/dark brown color of the spores (as well as the conidia) is used to distinguish A. niger from other species in the same genus. Aspergillus niger is an ascomycetous fungus. This means that it is classified under the phylum Ascomycota, also commonly referred to as Sac Fungi.
What are the macroscopic features of Aspergillus species?
Since Aspergillus spp. are found in nature, they are also common laboratory contaminants. The major macroscopic features remarkable in species identification are the growth rate, color of the colony, and thermotolerance [ 462, 1295, 2144 ].
What is classification of Aspergillus?
Aspergillus is defined as a group of conidial fungi—that is, fungi in an asexual state. Some of them, however, are known to have a teleomorph (sexual state) in the Ascomycota. With DNA evidence, all members of the genus Aspergillus are members of the phylum Ascomycota.
What is the classification of Aspergillus niger?
EurotiomycetesAspergillus niger / ClassThe Eurotiomycetes are a class of ascomycetes within the subphylum Pezizomycotina. Some members of the Eurotiomycetes were previously grouped in the class Plectomycetes. Wikipedia
Is Aspergillus an Ascomycetes?
Aspergillus: A Multifaceted Genus☆ The genus Aspergillus of ascomycete fungi comprises about 200 species. Some of these species reproduce sexually. Some Aspergilli produce noxious toxins, and some are pathogens.
What type of bacteria is Aspergillus?
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprotrophic fungus that continuously disseminates spores (conidia) into the environment. It is also the most common and opportunistic aerial fungal pathogen, causing allergic and chronic lung pathologies including the fatal invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients.
Which phylum does Aspergillus fungi belong in?
phylum AscomycotaAspergillus, genus of fungi in the order Eurotiales (phylum Ascomycota, kingdom Fungi) that exists as asexual forms (or anamorphs) and is pathogenic (disease-causing) in humans.
Is Aspergillus a fungi?
Aspergillus, the mold (a type of fungus) that causes aspergillosis, is very common both indoors and outdoors, so most people breathe in fungal spores every day.
Is Aspergillus a Basidiomycetes?
Ascomycete Aspergillus oryzae Is an Efficient Expression Host for Production of Basidiomycete Terpenes by Using Genomic DNA Sequences. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2019 Jul 18;85(15):e00409-19. doi: 10.1128/AEM.
Is Aspergillus a deuteromycetes?
Molecular analysis shows that the closest group to the deuteromycetes is the ascomycetes. In fact, some species, such as Aspergillus, which were once classified as imperfect fungi, are now classified as ascomycetes.
Is Aspergillus a protozoa?
Answer: False. Mark me as the brainliest please.
What are the characteristics of Aspergillus?
The following are some of the morphological characteristics of Aspergillus Fumigatus:They produce spores of between 200 and 400 mm.The color of the stipes is gray around the apex.They have a smooth surface.They have a small, columnous globuse.The surface of the conidia is either smooth or spinose.
What is the classification of penicillium?
EurotiomycetesPenicillium / Class
What is the scientific name of Aspergillus?
AspergillusAspergillus / Scientific name
How many species of Aspergillus are there?
The genus Aspergillus includes over 185 species. Around 20 species have so far been reported as causative agents of opportunistic infections in man. Among these, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most commonly isolated species, followed by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus glaucus group, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus terreus, Aspergillus ustus, and Aspergillus versicolor are among the other species less commonly isolated as opportunistic pathogens. See the list of obsolete names and synonyms for older names of these species.
What is the color of Aspergillus?
Aspergillus colonies are downy to powdery in texture. The surface color may vary depending on the species. The reverse is uncolored to pale yellow in most of the isolates. However, reverse color may be purple to olive in some strains of Aspergillus nidulans and orange to purple in Aspergillus versicolor (TABLE 1).
How fast does Aspergillus nidulans grow?
Except for Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus glaucus, the growth rate is rapid to moderately rapid. While Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus glaucus grow slowly and reach a colony size of 0.5-1 cm following incubation at 25°C for 7 days on Czapek-Dox agar, those of the remaining species are 1-9 cm in diameter in the specified setting.
What temperature does Aspergillus fumigatus grow?
This property is unique to Aspergillus fumigatus among the Aspergillus species. Aspergillus fumigatus can grow at a temperature range of 20 to 50 °C. TABLE 1. The color of the colony in various Aspergillus species.
What are the three clinical settings of Aspergillus spp.?
Aspergillus spp. are well-known to play a role in three different clinical settings in man: (i) opportunistic infections; (ii) allergic states; and (iii) toxicoses. Immunosuppression is the major factor predisposing to development of opportunistic infections [ 1048 ]. These infections may present in a wide spectrum, varying from local involvement to dissemination and as a whole called aspergillosis. Among all filamentous fungi, Aspergillus is in general the most commonly isolated one in invasive infections. It is the second most commonly recovered fungus in opportunistic mycoses following Candida.
What is the difference between a Hulle cell and an Aleuriconidium cell?
These remnants form annular frills at its base. Hulle cell is a large sterile cell bearing a small lumen.
Where is Aspergillus found?
Aspergillus is a filamentous, cosmopolitan and ubiquitous fungus found in nature. It is commonly isolated from soil, plant debris, and indoor air environment.
What phylum is Aspergillus in?
With DNA evidence, all members of the genus Aspergillus are members of the phylum Ascomycota . Members of the genus possess the ability to grow where a high osmotic pressure exists (high concentration of sugar, salt, etc.).
How many Aspergillus species are there?
More than 60 Aspergillus species are medically relevant pathogens. For humans, a range of diseases such as infection to the external ear, skin lesions, and ulcers classed as mycetomas are found. Other species are important in commercial microbial fermentations.
What are the diseases caused by Aspergillus?
Some Aspergillus species cause serious disease in humans and animals. The most common pathogenic species are A. fumigatus and A. flavus, which produces aflatoxin which is both a toxin and a carcinogen, and which can contaminate foods such as nuts. The most common species causing allergic disease are A. fumigatus and A. clavatus. Other species are important as agricultural pathogens. Aspergillus spp. cause disease on many grain crops, especially maize, and some variants synthesize mycotoxins, including aflatoxin. Aspergillus can cause neonatal infections.
What is lentulus fungus?
A. lentulus is an opportunistic human pathogen that causes invasive aspergillosis with high mortality rates.
What is the purpose of Aspergillus spp.?
Aspergillus spp. are known to produce anthraquinone which has commercial importance due to its antibacterial and. antifungal properties.
What is the most common type of mildew that grows on damp walls?
Aspergillus niger is a prime example of this; it can be found growing on damp walls, as a major component of mildew . Several species of Aspergillus, including A. niger and A. fumigatus, will readily colonise buildings, favouring warm and damp or humid areas such as bathrooms and around window frames.
What microscope is used to study Aspergillus?
A scan of Aspergillus taken at 235 magnifications under a scanning electron microscope. A. nidulans ( Emericella nidulans) has been used as a research organism for many years and was used by Guido Pontecorvo to demonstrate parasexuality in fungi.
What is the most common Aspergillus?
Aspergillus fumigatus is one of the most prevalent Aspergillus found in most environments. One of the most unique characteristics that separates A. fumigatus from the rest of the Aspergillus is that it can survive very high temperatures (it's thermotolerant) which is one of the reasons as to why it is more prevalent.
Where are Aspergillus found?
Genus: Aspergillus. A majority have been shown to be terricolous, which means that they are largely found in soil /land. Since their discovery in the 1720s, they have become increasingly important in human health, agriculture as well as in biological sciences among others.
Why is Aspergillus nidulans so popular?
One of the main reasons as to why it has become one of the most studied fungi is because it has been found to be very closely related to a majority of other species of Aspergillus in addition to a well organized genetic system.
What are the characteristics of Aspergillus fumigatus?
The following are some of the morphological characteristics of Aspergillus Fumigatus: 1 They produce spores of between 200 and 400 mm 2 The color of the stipes is gray around the apex 3 They have a smooth surface 4 They have a small, columnous globuse 5 The surface of the conidia is either smooth or spinose
What are the disadvantages of Aspergillus?
While Aspergillus have a number of benefits, they have various disadvantages that include: Food spoilage - Aflatoxins produced by some spoil various crop seeds. These toxins are dangerous and can cause serious health issues and even death when consumed.
What is the morphology of Aspergillus niger?
Morphology of Aspergillus Niger. Like others, Aspergillus niger are filamentous fungi, which means that they tend to form filaments (hyphae) and thus resemble the structure of a plant. When viewed under the microscope, A. niger consists of a smooth and colorless conidiophores and spores.
What is the life cycle of Aspergillus?
* Aspergilli's hyphae develops into vegetative and reproductive hyphae. The vegetative hyphae serves to absorb nutrients while the reproductive hyphae develop further to produce spores.
What is cutaneous aspergillosis?
Cutaneous (skin) aspergillosis: Occurs when Aspergillus enters the body through a break in the skin (for example, after surgery or a burn wound) and causes infection, usually in people who have weakened immune systems.
What is the term for a ball of Aspergillus that grows in the lungs?
Patients with resistant infections might not get better with treatment. Aspergilloma: Occurs when a ball of Aspergillus grows in the lungs or sinuses, but usually does not spread to other parts of the body. 4 Aspergilloma is also called a “fungus ball.”.
What is the name of the disease that causes coughing and wheezing?
Types of aspergillosis. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis ( ABPA): Occurs when Aspergillus causes inflammation in the lungs and allergy symptoms such as coughing and wheezing, but doesn’t cause an infection. 2. Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis: Occurs when Aspergillus causes inflammation in the sinuses and symptoms of a sinus infection ...
What is aspergillosis caused by?
What is aspergillosis? Aspergillosis is a disease caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors.
What is the term for a ball in the lungs?
One or more fungal balls (aspergillomas) may also be present in the lungs. 5. Invasive aspergillosis: Occurs when Aspergillus causes a serious infection, and usually affects people who have weakened immune systems, such as people who have had an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant.
Is aspergillus a serious disease?
There are different types of aspergillosis. Some types are mild, but some of them are very serious. 1.
What is the structure of Aspergillus?
Structure of Aspergillus. Aspergillus has a filamentous structure. It consists of the following components in its cell structure that include: Foot cell: It is the vegetative structure of the cell called the vegetative hyphae. It is found attached to the substratum, through which the hypha absorbs the nutrient for its further growth.
What is the disease caused by the various pathogenic strains of Aspergillus?
Aspergillosis is the disease caused by the various pathogenic strains of Aspergillus. In this context, we will mainly study morphology, structural properties, life-cycle and the economic importance of the medically important fungus Aspergillus.
How does Aspergillus obtain nutrition?
Aspergillus obtains nutrition from the environment through vegetative hyphae, which then grows to produce reproductive structure, i.e. spores. The hyphae of the Aspergillus species are of two types: Vegetative hyphae: It helps in nutrient absorption. Reproductive hyphae: It helps in the production of fungal spores.
What is Aspergillus useful for?
Aspergillus species are capable of low-rank coal solubilization. Useful in the production of organic acid like gluconic acid, citric acid etc. by A.niger, A.fumaricvus, respectively.
How do Aspergillus reproduce?
Most of the Aspergillus species reproduce asexually through conidiospores, and few grow sexually through ascospores. Aspergillus species are Terricolous, i.e. most of the species grow on the ground or soil. The spores of Aspergillus are abundant in nature and can be saprophytic and parasitic.
Why is Aspergillus black and green?
Aspergillus also called black or green mould, because the majority of them form black and green spores on the substratum and give a mouldy appearance. The species of Aspergillus are also called sac fungi because their sexual spores are produced within the sacs called Asci.
How many parts does anthredium have?
Anthredium possesses two parts (Upper and lower), and it is unicellular, multinucleate and septate. The sexual reproduction of Aspergillus involves the following steps: First, the female and the male hyphae contacts with each other.
What is the disease caused by Aspergillus?
Diseases caused by Aspergillus species range from primarily allergic manifestations (fungal sinusitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis [ABPA]) to more invasive sinus and/or pulmonary infections, with a propensity to spread hematogenously.
What is the bulk of disease caused by A. fumigatus?
These are best studied for A. fumigatus, which causes the bulk of disease (>90% in most centers). The organism secretes multiple toxins and metabolites that protect it from host defenses, and it has specific cell wall components that can serve to promote survival in the host as well.
Is Posaconazole a prophylaxis?
They appear to be active in reducing the incidence of invasive aspergillosis, although findings of studies have been variable because of differences in patients enrolled and efficacy endpoints measured. Posaconazole has been approved for prophylaxis based on results of two multicenter randomized trials.
Is Aspergillus terreus resistant to amphotericin B?
Aspergillus terreus tends to have relative resistance to amphotericin B , and outcomes of infection are poor. Aspergillus ustus tends to have relatively lower susceptibility to multiple different antifungal agents, and susceptibility testing should be performed for this organism.
What is the name of the fungus that lives indoors and outdoors?
Aspergillosis. Español (Spanish) Aspergillosis is an infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in Asper gillus spores every day without getting sick.
Is Aspergillus a lung disease?
However, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus. The types of health problems caused by Aspergillus include allergic reactions, lung infections, and infections in other organs.
Description and Natural Habitats
Species
- The genus Aspergillus includes over 185 species. Around 20 species have so far been reported as causative agents of opportunistic infections in man. Among these, Aspergillus fumigatus is the most commonly isolated species, followed by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus glaucus group, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus terreus…
Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance
- Aspergillus spp. are well-known to play a role in three different clinical settings in man: (i) opportunistic infections; (ii) allergic states; and (iii) toxicoses. Immunosuppression is the major factor predisposing to development of opportunistic infections [1048]. These infections may present in a wide spectrum, varying from local involvement to dissemination and as a whole call…
Microscopic Features
- The basic microscopic morphology is same for all species. However, some other microscopic structures are unique to certain species and constitute the key features for species identification together with the surface color of the colony (TABLE 2)[462, 1295, 2144]. 1. COMMON TO ALL SPECIES: Hyphae are septate and hyaline. The conidiophores originate from the basal foot cell l…
Compare to
- Syncephalastrum. Syncephalastrum at first look may resemble Aspergillus niger. The absence of phialides and the presence of tubular sporangia in Syncephalastrum isolates are noticed by careful examination. In contrast to Aspergillus, the hyphae of Syncephalastrum are nonseptate [1295].
Susceptibility
- Following the documentation of the NCCLS proposed standard (M38-P) for in vitro susceptibility testing of filamentous fungi [1622], more data have been available on in vitro activity of Aspergillus spp. Although the MIC breakpoints for the available antifungal agents are not defined yet, the results of these studies are in consensus for a number of features. The MICs obtained f…
Overview
Aspergillus is a genus consisting of a few hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide.
Aspergillus was first catalogued in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pier Antonio Micheli. Viewing the fungi under a microscope, Micheli was reminded of the shape of an aspergillum (holy water sprinkler), from Latin spargere (to sprin…
Taxonomy
Aspergillus consists of 837 species of fungi.
Growth and distribution
Aspergillus is defined as a group of conidial fungi—that is, fungi in an asexual state. Some of them, however, are known to have a teleomorph (sexual state) in the Ascomycota. With DNA evidence, all members of the genus Aspergillus are members of the phylum Ascomycota.
Members of the genus possess the ability to grow where a high osmotic press…
Commercial importance
Species of Aspergillus are important medically and commercially. Some species can cause infection in humans and other animals. Some infections found in animals have been studied for years, while other species found in animals have been described as new and specific to the investigated disease, and others have been known as names already in use for organisms such as saprophytes. Mor…
Research
A. nidulans (Emericella nidulans) has been used as a research organism for many years and was used by Guido Pontecorvo to demonstrate parasexuality in fungi. Recently, A. nidulans was one of the pioneering organisms to have its genome sequenced by researchers at the Broad Institute. As of 2008, a further seven Aspergillus species have had their genomes sequenced: the industrially …
Pathogens
Some Aspergillus species cause serious disease in humans and animals. The most common pathogenic species are A. fumigatus and A. flavus, which produces aflatoxin which is both a toxin and a carcinogen, and which can contaminate foods such as nuts. The most common species causing allergic disease are A. fumigatus and A. clavatus. Other species are important as agricultural pathogens. Aspergillus spp. cause disease on many grain crops, especially maize, an…
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. The most common species among paranasal sinus infections associated with aspergillosis is A. fumigatus. The symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, or breathlessness, which also occur in many other illnesses, so diagnosis can be difficult. Usually, only patients with already weakened immune systems or who suffer other lung c…
See also
• List of Aspergillus species
• Mold health issues
• Sick building syndrome