Which statement is true about the organism most commonly associated with aspergillosis?

Which statement is true about the organism most commonly associated with aspergillosis?

• A. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common species
• B. Aspergillus niger is the most common species
• C. Aspergillus flavus is the most common species
• D. Aspergillus terreus is the most common species

Answer: (B)

Aspergillosis is most often caused by a single species that is highly adapted to human airways: Aspergillus fumigatus. This organism produces tiny conidia that are easily inhaled deep into the lungs, and it grows well at human body temperature, which helps it establish infection in susceptible hosts. Its ability to thrive in the lung environment and to form invasive hyphae when the immune system is compromised makes it the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis, as well as common in other forms like allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergillomas. Other Aspergillus species can cause disease, but they are less frequently implicated; for example, A. niger is more often linked to ear infections and denture-related issues, A. flavus can produce aflatoxins and cause sinus or liver-related problems, and A. terreus may resist certain antifungals, which can influence treatment but does not make it the most common cause.

Aspergillosis is most often caused by a single species that is highly adapted to human airways: Aspergillus fumigatus. This organism produces tiny conidia that are easily inhaled deep into the lungs, and it grows well at human body temperature, which helps it establish infection in susceptible hosts. Its ability to thrive in the lung environment and to form invasive hyphae when the immune system is compromised makes it the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis, as well as common in other forms like allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and aspergillomas. Other Aspergillus species can cause disease, but they are less frequently implicated; for example, A. niger is more often linked to ear infections and denture-related issues, A. flavus can produce aflatoxins and cause sinus or liver-related problems, and A. terreus may resist certain antifungals, which can influence treatment but does not make it the most common cause.