Aspergillus fumigatus : Deadly Fungus
An international team of researchers recently unveiled ground-breaking findings on the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which can cause deadly disease in humans.
- It is a species of fungus that causes diseases in humans.
- It can be found throughout the environment, including in soil, plant matter, and household dust.
- The fungus can also produce airborne spores called conidia. Most people can inhale many of these spores on a daily basis.
- In a healthy individual, the immune system often clears them from the body without a problem. However, for some people, inhaling A. fumigatus, spores can lead to a potentially severe infection.
- Aspergillus fumigatus is considered an opportunistic organism.
- It has low virulence (ability to cause damage) and causes disease only in some circumstances, like:
- A severely weakened state caused by sickness, poor nutrition, advanced age, etc.
- Immunosuppression by diseases or medicines
- Implants use, such as prosthetic devices
- An infection that’s caused by an Aspergillus species of fungus is referred to as aspergillosis.
- Aspergillus can cause allergic reactions, chronic lung conditions, and an invasive disease that spreads to your brain, kidneys, lungs, or other organs.
