aspergillus

Introduction

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⁾

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