Pathogenesis ofAspergillus fumigatusin Invasive Aspergillosis

Abstract

SUMMARY: Aspergillusspecies are globally ubiquitous saprophytes found in a variety of ecological niches. Almost 200 species of aspergilli have been identified, less than 20 of which are known to cause human disease. Among them,Aspergillus fumigatusis the most prevalent and is largely responsible for the increased incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in the immunocompromised patient population. IA is a devastating illness, with mortality rates in some patient groups reaching as high as 90%. Studies identifying and assessing the roles of specific factors ofA. fumigatusthat contribute to the pathogenesis of IA have traditionally focused on single-gene deletion and mutant characterization. In combination with recent large-scale approaches analyzing global fungal responses to distinct environmental or host conditions, these studies have identified many factors that contribute to the overall pathogenic potential ofA. fumigatus. Here, we provide an overview of the significant findings regardingA. fumigatuspathogenesis as it pertains to invasive disease.