Germinating spores of Aspergillus fumigatus

Germinating spores of Aspergillus fumigatus

Date: 14 February 2017

  • Germinating spores of Aspergillus fumigatus

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Provided by KM Lord and ND Read

Notes:

Aspergillus spores are incredibly tiny, tough fungal seeds that germinate to form the germ tube and later hyphae. Germination is affected by temperature, humidity and pH among other factors.

About 3-4% of the population, including many asthma sufferers, are allergic to the proteins coating the surface of fungal spores. Levels of spores from most species peak during June-Sep, but aspergillus also peaks in Jan-Feb.

We all inhale hundreds of Aspergillus spores every day, but in healthy people they are cleared by white blood cells that engulf them before they have the chance to germinate. Stopping them from germinating is one potential way of preventing disease.

This picture shows a scanning electron micrograph of germinating Aspergillus fumigatus spores (provided by KM Lord and ND Read). In this picture the spores are clustered in the middle, with the germ tubes radiating outwards.

Read more and view the current spore level report

Images library

Showing 10 posts of 2574 posts found.

  • Title

    Legend

  • Papular rash with CPA

    Drug rashes: Drug interactions between steroids and anti-fungal drugs – (ecchymosis)

    Image A: Red skin rash on arms due to effect of inhaled steroids termed ecchymosis., Image B: Red skin rash on arms due to effect of inhaled steroids termed ecchymosis., Image C: Papular rash with blisters on the back, associated with CPA but prior to treatment, rash appeared 2 years previously in October 2007. The rash resolved on treatment with azoles., Image D: Papular rash with blisters on the back, associated with CPA but prior to treatment, rash appeared 2 years previously in October 2007. The rash resolved on treatment with azoles.

  • Facial erythema: Side effects of anti-fungal drugs – drug rashes

    Reference: Muco-cutaneous retinoid effects and facial erythema related to the novel triazole antifungal agent voriconazole. Denning, DW & Griffiths, CEM. Clin.Exp Dermatol 2001, 26(8), 648-53.
    Courtesy of Dr D Denning, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.(© Fungal Research Trust)

    Patient AB: Voriconazole rash. Following 8 weeks of Voriconazole, patient had remarkable facial erythema, most consistent with sun exposure because of sparing of her neck., Patient AB: Voriconazole rash. Following 8 weeks of Voriconazole, patient had remarkable facial erythema, most consistent with sun exposure because of sparing of her neck., Patient AB: Discoid lupus erythematosus following 12 months voriconazole therapy. This improved with use of sunblock factor 30 and resolved after discontinuation of voriconazole, 2 months later.

  • Cresemba

    Cresemba (Isavuconazole)

  • Aspergillus niger

    Micrographs of A. niger conidia & conidial heads provided by Amaliya Stepanova, Head of Laboratory pathomorphology and cytology at Kashkin Research Institute, Russian Federation.

    A niger conidial head TEM in vitro (РКПГF-1124), A niger mature conidium TEM in vitro (РКПГF-1124)

  • Aspergillus terreus

    Micrographs of A. terreus conidia & conidial heads provided by Amaliya Stepanova, , Head of Laboratory pathomorphology and cytology at Kashkin Research Institute, Russian Federation.

    A terreus aleurospore TEM in vitro (РКПГF-1275), A terreus mature conidium SEM in vitro (РКПГ-1275), A terreus mature conidial head SEM in vitro

  • Electron Microscopy: Aspergillus fumigatus

    Micrographs of A. fumigatus conidia & conidial heads provided by Amaliya Stepanova, , Head of Laboratory pathomorphology and cytology at Kashkin Research Institute, Russian Federation.

    Conidial head (SEM), Part of conidial head (SEM), Mature conidia (SEM), Hyphae (SEM), Murine lung tissue (TEM)

  • Aspergillus clavatus

    Isolate from environmental sample

    A. clavatus, A. clavatus, A. clavatus

  • ABPA complicated by severe varicose bronchiectasis

    Patients has history of ABPA complicating long standing asthma. His total IgE has fluctuated between 2,200 and 4,600 KU/L, his Aspergillus IgE between 36.3 and 65.4 kAU/L and Aspergillus IgG from 87-154 mg/L. He has been taking long term itraconazole.

    December 2012, May 2012, AW CT Dec 2012 2, February 2010

  • Ira F. Salkin 1941-2016

    Ira F. Salkin 1941-2016

  • Haemofungin

    haemofungin