Invasive Aspergillus terreus morphological transitions and immunoadaptations mediating antifungal resistance

Louis Bengyella, Elsie Laban Yekwa, Muhammad Nasir Subhani, Ernest Tambo, Kiran Nawaz, Bakoena Ashton Hetsa, Sehrish Iftikhar, Sayanika Devi Waikhom, Pranab Roy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background and aims: Aspergillus terreus Thom is a pathogen of public health and agricultural importance for its seamless abilities to expand its ecological niche. The aim of this study was holistically to investigate A. terreus morphological and immunoadaptations and their implication in antifungal resistance and proliferation during infection. Materials and methods: In-depth unstructured mining of relevant peer-reviewed literature was performed for A. terreus morphological, immune, resistance, and genetic diversity based on the sequenced calmodulin-like gene. Results: Accessory conidia and phialidic conidia produced by A. terreus confer discrete antifungal resistance that ensures survivability during therapies. Interestingly, by producing unique metabolites such as Asp-melanin and terretonin, A. terreus is capable of hijacking macrophages and scavenging iron, respectively. As such, A. terreus has established a rare mechanism to mitigate phagocytosis and swing the interaction dynamics in favor of its proliferation and survival in hosts. Conclusion: It is further unraveled that besides A. terreus genetic diversity, morphological, biochemical, and immunologic adaptations associated with conidia germination and discharge of chemical signals during infection enable masking of the host defense as an integral part of its strategy to survive and rapidly colonize hosts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)425-436
Number of pages12
JournalInfection and Drug Resistance
Volume10
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 7 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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