Aspergillus

Natural Habitat

• Soil

• Plant debris

Suitable Substrates in the Indoor Environment

• Grows on a wide range of substrates indoors
• Prevalent in water damaged buildings

Water Activity

• Aw=0.75-0.94

Mode of Dissemination

• Wind

Allergenic Potential

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) which is common in asthmatic and cystic fibrosis patients
• Aspergillus sinusitis
• Invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients

Potential Opportunist or Pathogen

• Aspergilloma and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in people with lung disease

Industrial Uses

• A. sojae
is used for fermented food and beverages in Asia
• A. oryzae

is used in soy sauce production
• A. terreus

produces mevinolin which is able reduce blood cholesterol
• A. niger

produces enzymes used to make some breads and beers and is also used in plastic decomposition
• A. niger

and

are used in cortisone production

Potential Toxins Produced

• 3-Nitropropionic acid, 5-metoxystermatocystin, Aflatoxin B1, B2, Aflatoxin G1, G2, Aflatoxin M1, M2, Aflatoxin P1, Aflatoxin Q1, Aflatoxins, Aflatrem (alkaloid),

Orlandin, Oryzacidin, Paspaline,

Other Comments

• It is the second most common opportunistic pathogen following Candida