Which species is identified as the most common cause of aspergillosis?

Which species is identified as the most common cause of aspergillosis?

• A. Aspergillus niger
• B. Aspergillus fumigatus
• C. Aspergillus flavus
• D. Aspergillus terreus

Answer: (B)

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of aspergillosis because it is a ubiquitous environmental mold with traits that make it particularly adept at establishing lung infections in humans. Its conidia are very small, enabling inhalation deep into the airways and alveoli, which is the usual entry point for disease. It grows well at human body temperature and can take advantage of weakened immune defenses or damaged lung tissue, making invasive disease more likely in susceptible patients. Other Aspergillus species can cause disease, but far less frequently in practice. For example, Aspergillus niger is a common environmental mold but is a less frequent invasive pathogen; Aspergillus flavus is well known for aflatoxin production in foods rather than as a leading cause of invasive aspergillosis; Aspergillus terreus can cause infection but is less commonly implicated and is notable for potential amphotericin B resistance.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of aspergillosis because it is a ubiquitous environmental mold with traits that make it particularly adept at establishing lung infections in humans. Its conidia are very small, enabling inhalation deep into the airways and alveoli, which is the usual entry point for disease. It grows well at human body temperature and can take advantage of weakened immune defenses or damaged lung tissue, making invasive disease more likely in susceptible patients.

Other Aspergillus species can cause disease, but far less frequently in practice. For example, Aspergillus niger is a common environmental mold but is a less frequent invasive pathogen; Aspergillus flavus is well known for aflatoxin production in foods rather than as a leading cause of invasive aspergillosis; Aspergillus terreus can cause infection but is less commonly implicated and is notable for potential amphotericin B resistance.