Aspergillus fumigatus: a mere airborne particle or a powerful biohazard?

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus conidia constitute a common and widespread bioparticle of the air spectra. However, despite being innocuous to the majority of the healthy population, in immunocompromised patients, these bioparticles can cause a wide range of complaints ranging from mild allergenic reactions to severe disseminated diseases. One of the most devastating of Aspergillus-related diseases is invasive aspergillosis (IA) and despite all efforts, the morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high. The poor outcomes of IA treatment are frequently associated with host status, delay of early diagnosis, and lack of adequate antifungal therapy, namely due to the resistance to azole therapy.

The present work covers aspects of A. fumigatus biology and its role in allergy outset and in the development of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Additionally, topics of IA diagnosis and therapeutic approach are also reviewed while cell death is explored as a possible mechanism to the development of new therapeutical approaches.