Aspergillus fumigatus . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract

Abstract A description is provided for Aspergillus fumigatus . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: A human and animal pathogen. Also found in soils, plants seeds, sludge, compost, wood chips (IMI, 1992). DISEASES: On animals : The species causes aspergillosis, a respiratory infection. It has been reported in nearly all domesticated animals and birds. Contributory factors appear to be stress of captivity and immaturity (Smith, 1989). The most common infection is that of the respiratory tract in birds (Jauniaux & Coignoul, 1994), poultry, lambs (Smith, 1989) and cattle (Pawaiya & Charan, 1995). It also causes mycotic abortion in cattle, guttural pouch lesions in horses and nasal and systemic lesions in dogs (Kozakiewicz, 1994). The infection of incubating eggs by A. fumigatus is another economic problem. Penetration of the egg by germinating conidia occurs at the time of laying. Modern techniques of large-scale egg production are to blame. On man: Aspergillus fumigatus is the causal agent of aspergillosis, farmer's lung disease, aspergillomas and invasive aspergillosis (Mathews & Chandy, 1995). Factors which cause growth of this species in humans include susceptibility through various chemotherapy treatments, prolonged use of antibiotics (particularly the broad spectrum drugs), and certain surgical operations such as open-heart techniques (Tang et al. , 1994; Graham et al. , 1995). Immuno-suppressed patients are particularly susceptible. Prevalence appears to be seasonal with autumn/early winter the dominant season. It has also been isolated from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients (Viale et al. , 1994; Martinez-Jabaloya et al. , 1995; Donisi et al. , 1995). GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Worldwide, but as a thermotolerant species tends to be found on produce undergoing heating.