Relevance of heterokaryosis for adaptation and azole-resistance development in Aspergillus fumigatus.

ABSTRACT: Aspergillus fumigatus causes a range of diseases in humans, some of which are characterized by fungal persistence. Aspergillus fumigatus, being a generalist saprotroph, may initially establish lung colonization due to its physiological versatility and subsequently adapt through genetic changes to the human lung environment and antifungal treatments. Human lung-adapted genotypes can arise by spontaneous mutation and/or recombination and subsequent selection of the fittest genotypes. Sexual and asexual spores are considered crucial contributors to the genetic diversity and adaptive potential of aspergilli by recombination and mutation supply, respectively. However, in certain Aspergillus diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, A. fumigatus may not sporulate but

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6408600 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature