Germination dynamics of allergenic fungal spores in respiratory mucus

This study aimed to investigate the temporal germination dynamics of allergenicCladosporium, Aspergillus, andPenicillium spp. in respiratory mucus ex situ and the effect of the temperature (28  °C and 37 °C in the upper and lower respiratory tract, respectively) on fungal germination. Fungal spore germination was inhibited at 37 °C inC. oxysporum andC. cladosporioides, but notA. flavus,A. brunneoviolaceus,A. protuberus,P. citrinum, andP. oxalicum. Aspergillus flavus andA. brunneoviolaceus exhibited a high germination rate in the mucus at 28  °C and 37 °C. This indicated that their germination was not limited in the mucus in the upper or lower respiratory tract, where spores of these fungi can overcome the inhibition of germination as in invasive aspergillosis pathogens. The germination rate ofA. protuberus in the mucus was very low at both 28  °C and 37 °C. Spore germination ofP. citrinum andP. oxalicum occurred at 37  °C (normal body temperature) but was inhibited by the mucus.
Source: Aerobiologia - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research