- Aspergillius fumigatus
Pathogen: Aspergillius aka Aspergillus fumigatus
Category of Pathogen: Fungus
Disease Caused by Pathogen: Aspergilliosis
Symptoms of Infection: There are two types of Aspergillusinfections: allergic bronchopulonary aspergillosis and invasive aspergillosis. With allergic bronchopulonary aspergillosis (ABPA), individuals experience coughing and wheezing. An invasive infection typically attacks severely immunocompromised individuals such as those with HIV/AIDs or cancer. An invasive infection invades lung, heart, or other tissues in the body, causing damage to the tissue via toxins that are secreted into the tissue causing a nectrotizing effect on the host. Symptoms depend on the infection area.
Host(s): For the most part, this particular fungus does not cause infection in animals or humans. However, it is can be found in humans, mammals, birds, and honey bees. Typically this fungus is found on decaying plant matter.
Route of Transmission: Air.
Prevalence: Spores are common in the air. At this time, with ~30% of all fungal infections treated being A. fumigatus.
Mortality Rate: 30 to 90% of immunocompromised individuals who get this infection will die. This depends on the infection site and how immunocompromised the individual is.
Is it preventable? How?: Since an individual is unable to avoid contact with Aspergillus spores, there are only a few things that can decrease the risk of an infection but will not completely prevent the possibility of an infection. Immunocompromised individuals are told to avoid dusty areas and construction sites as spores tend to accumulate and become easily aerosolized in such areas. Since the fungus commonly lives in soil and in decaying plant matter, susceptible individuals should avoid gardening and lawn work. Indoor air quality can be improved via the use of a HEPA filter. In severe enough cases, antifungals many be used to prevent an infection.
Does the disease trigger long lasting immunity? Yes, this disease triggers an immunity in healthy individuals. Since A. fumigatusis an ubiquitous fungus we have an acquired immunity to the disease that we get from a very young age. However, individuals who are immunocompromised will not have that immunity thus allowing the fungus to cause disease.
History of the pathogen: Aspergilliuswas first described in 1729 as the pathogen that causes aspergilliosis. Later, in 1863, Aspergillius fumigatus was described and categorized.
The economic impact of the disease: According to research done in 2003, a normal individual who comes down with aspergillosis will incure a mean of $96,731 in hospital bills and spend about 17.7 days in the hospital. Likewise, this can increase with the severity of the individuals immunosuppression. An HIV patient with aspergillosis will incure $442,233 in hospital bills.
The coolest thing about the disease: The coolest thing about the disease is a particular infection that it causes in honeybees called stonebrood. The larva of a hive will ingest the spores of the fungus where it germinates in the larva. After germination of the fungus, the brood form a ring around the neck and turn black and become difficult to crush, hence the name. I think this is amazing because the symptoms and effect of the infection on the honeybees is completely different than what we see in humans and other animals. I also find it interesting because honeybee numbers are on the decline, so I’m interested in seeing how this infection is impacting honeybee population.
Citation:
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The centers for disease control. Aspergilliosis (Aspergillius) <http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/aspergillosis_gi.html>
Brakhage AA, Langfelder K. (2002). Menacing Mold: The Molecular Biology of Aspergillius fumigatus. Annual Review of Microbiology.
Jean- Paul Latge. (1999). Aspergillius Fumigatus. Clinical Microbiology Review. 12(2):310-350.
Gueret R., Patel G., Simon D., Balk R. (2007). Invasive Aspergilliosis: Case Report and Review of the Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment. Clinical Pulomonary Medicine. 14(4): 197-205.
Williamson E. (2000). Aspergilius fumigatus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 45: 934.
Diseases of the Honeybee. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diseases_of_the_honeybee>
Aspergillius fumigatus. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_fumigatus>
Tong KB, Lau CJ, Murtagh K, Layton AJ, and Seifeldin R. (2009). The economic impact of aspergillosis: analysis of hospital expenditure across patient subgroups. International journal of infectious diseases. 13(1):24-36.
Picture of Aspergillius fumigatus (Green)<http://thump01.pbase.com/o6/90/684390/1/109348107.Dqc8YP4E.aspergillus_fumigatus.jpg
