Aspergillus infections

Aspergillus conidia (spores) are ubiquitous in the environment and thus unavoidable. In soil and on other vegetative or moist material, Aspergillus species exist as saprobes, digesting dead or dying organic material. This highly competitive environment requires Aspergillus species to survive under variable temperature, pH, water, and nutrient conditions. Oxidative damage and environmental antifungal exposure also drive fungal adaptation, and these factors together account for numerous aspects of Aspergillus virulence.
Thompson III & Young 2021 N Engl J Med 385: 1496-1509

The vast majority of human encounters with inhaled conidia do not result in measurable colonization. For persons who do acquire and retain conidia, a spectrum of clinically significant outcomes can occur, ranging from asymptomatic colonizati…