50 years of treating pulmonary aspergillosis with Amphotericin B
Dr Victor Kelmenson (Detroit, Michigan) reported the first case of the treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis with Amphotericin in 1959
Prior to treatment the patient was suffering from a broncho-pleural fistula, cough, unresponsive to antibiotics, negative X-ray and sputum. Treatment using Amphotericin was started after culturing Aspergillus fumigatus from fluid aspirated at the site of infection.
Having no previous experience of the use of this drug to treat aspergillosis the dose was begun based on previous experience with other mycoses at 10mg given over at least 6 hours, repeated daily. The patient's temperature quickly returned to normal, the cough diminished and the broncho-pleural fistula closed.
This Month
 Professor Rob Samson has been conferred with an honorary doctorate by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences. This prestigious award reflects his work on developing stable taxonomic systems based on morphological, chemical and molecular criteria that are fundamental to fungal identification.
Prof. Samson's work has focussed primarily on Aspergillus and Penicillium in relation to food, biotechnology, indoor air quality and medicine.
Latest News and Articles
There have been 86 additions (8 reviews) to the articles section. We have picked out a few of the highlights here:
Role of antibiotics and fungal microbiota in driving pulmonary allergic responses
It has been hypothesised (the "hygiene hypothesis") over the last few decades that the taking of antibiotics has a role in the increase in asthma and allergy observed over the same time. This paper describes the creation of a mouse model for antibiotic-induced disturbance of the microbial flora in the gut. Once the mice have been given antibiotics they become susceptible to allergic airway response to stimulus by Aspergillus fumigatus spores. If the mice are not given antibiotics they do not develop the allergic response.
This is the first experimental demonstration that antibiotics and gut flora can influence allergic airway disease, and highlights the concept that events in a distance mucosal site such as the gut can play an important role in regulating immune responses in the lungs.
Population structure and diversity of the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from different sources and geographic origins
This is an attempt to establish how related isolates of A. fumigatus taken from multiple clinical specimens and multiple specimens taken from several locations around the world are to each other. It might be expected that clinical specimens would show similarities to each other (because of adaption that might be required to infect a patient) whereas specimens taken from around the world might be more diverse as they are exposed to different environmental stresses.
The finding was that clinical specimens are MORE variable than environmental specimens, with all specimens being more closely related according to geographical location.
Reviews
Targeting virulence: a new paradigm for antifungals
Virulence factors of fungi and their inhibitors are increasingly the subject of research into finding novel targets for new antifungals. The need for new drugs is clear as the number of people infected rise year on year. This area of research appears to hold much promise and this review covers the various groups of virulence factors and candidate drugs in development.
Pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus in Invasive Aspergillosis
A thorough review of the life cycle of A. fumigatus, risk factors, animal models, colonisation of the airways, adaption to the mammalian lung environment and interaction with the mammalian immune system.
The innate immune response to Aspergillus fumigatus
An in-depth review of the innate and adaptive immune response in the lungs to inhaled A.fumigatus. Features include descriptions of the genetics and mechanism of each component of the immune system in the lungs, innate and adaptive, cells, mediators and natural antifungal molecules.
Jobs
6 jobs currently being advertised:
- Consultant in Infectious Diseases, National Aspergillosis Centre, Manchester, UK
- Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, University of Wisconsin, USA
- Postdoctoral Research or Graduate Student position, Michigan State University, USA
- Postdoctoral Research or Graduate Student position, Yale University, USA
- PhD studentship, National Aspergillosis Centre, Manchester, UK
- Postdoctoral Researcher in Fungal Biology/Biotechnology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Advertise your vacancy free of charge on the Aspergillus Website here
Images
Chest X-rays and CT scans from a patient with lung bullae caused by cannabis smoking and complicated by pneumothorax and chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis, can be seen in the image library under chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis.
Air Quality
The latest WHO guidelines entitled 'Biological Agents in Indoor Environments Assessment of Health Risks' is now uploaded.
 Genomics
We have started up an online community for people who work in Aspergillus genomics so that they can discuss topics, swop tips, store common files, chat in real time on the website or simply ask questions via email. Find it at http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/aspergillusgenomes/
Blog
Patients
We have updated our guidelines on suitable facemasks for use to prevent overexposure to aspergillus spores
Last month we continued our request for anyone interested in attending a meeting on aspergillosis specifically intended for patients and their friends, but also open to any other interested parties, to register their interest here. The idea is to inform patients about many aspects of their illness, all based on the latest findings with talks from several experts in these fields.
Interest has been good and we may have achieved sufficient numbers to consider going ahead with this idea. If anyone is still thinking about registering their interest it is not too late to register with no obligation. The more that register the easier it will be to ensure this goes ahead. Express an interest in the patients' meeting
There is a newly designed Patients website now entitled 'Aspergillosis Patient Support'. Much more comprehensive than before and easier to navigate but with the same successful support group and Q & A board
Donate
 It is now easy to donate to the Fungal Research Trust, a charity who principally fund the Aspergillus Website, run several patient support groups and fund research internationally. Please donate here.
Technical Tips
Our discussion group (email and/or website) designed to promote discussion on technical issues for laboratory workers.
Searching the website
There is now a third facility to search for information on Aspergillus. Covering all the information in the Aspergillus Website and including a series of websites we feel contain useful information NOT currently available on the Aspergillus Website, the Aspergillus World search engine contains large amounts of focussed information from all over the world. If you can suggest more (particularly keen to access information on industrial applications) then let us know at admin@aspergillus.org.uk.
RSS
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What is RSS and how do I use it? Get help here.
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