aspergillus

see also:

• fungi
• Aspergillosis

• the aspergillus family of fungi are very common in soils and on plants
• inhalation of soil is common but in those with weakened immune systems (including those with severe COVID-19 coronavirus (2019-nCoV / SARS-CoV-2), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), immunodeficiencies, etc), it may cause pulmonary aspergillomas or Aspergillosis
  • 90% of which are caused by A. fumigatus but some are caused by A. flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. terreus and A. latus

• found worldwide
• capable of surviving under extreme conditions, such as temperatures of up to 70 °C and a scarcity of nutrients.
  • this capacity is apparently due to a mycovirus within it which helps the fungus endure stress such as heat and oxidative conditions inside mammalian lungs hence Rx with antivirals may reduce mortality
• can even extract food from water
• accounts for 90% of cases of Aspergillosis

• a hybrid fungus (uniquely it is diploid, having two sets of chromosomes - one from each parent species - these parent species are distantly related) and is up to three times more drug-resistant than the two species from which it derives
• it appears to be 3x more drug resistant than either of its parent species
• in 2020, it was discovered to also be in the hospital environment¹⁾