Aspergillus

Template:Noimage Aspergillus is a genus of around 200 fungi (moulds) found worldwide. Aspergillus is a filamentous fungus ( made of chains of cells called hyphae) as opposed to yeast which is round single celled

In 1729 Aspergillus was first catalogued by an Italian biologist P Micheli.

Its natural habitat is in hay and compost.

Pathogens

Some Aspergillus species cause serious disease in humans and animals - it is pathogenic.

The most common causing invasive disease are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus.

The most common causing allergic disease are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus clavatus.

Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is the groups of diseases caused by Aspergillus . The symptons - fever, cough, chest pain or breathlessness occur in many other illnesses so diagnosis can be hard. Usually, only patients with already weakened immnune systems or who suffer other lug conditions are susceptible.

In man, the major forms of disease are:

1. Allergic aspergillosis (affects asthma, cystic fibrosis and sinusitis patiens).
2. Acute invasive aspergillosis (risk increases if patient has weakened immunity such as some cancer patients and those in chemotherapy).
3. Disseminated invasive aspergillosis (widespread trough body).