The term Aspergillus refers to a group of mould fungi which are found world-wide and are especially known for decaying fruit and vegetables. They are very common in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. Only a few of these moulds can cause illness in humans and animals, most commonly these are Aspergillus fumigatus Aspergillus niger Aspergillus terreus and Aspergillus flavus. Most people are naturally immune and do not develop disease caused by Aspergillus.

Yes you can get Aspergillus in a wound although it is quite rare. The first report of infection of a skin wound with Aspergillus was following accidental injury in a farmer. Other reports are from people who have had operations or people with traumatic wounds. Sometimes Aspergillus can get into artificial heart valves during surgery.

In nonviable sampling generally only the spores are present to analyze. Aspergillus and Penicillium have very similar spores that cannot be distinguished from each other using nonviable techniques.

This is a condition which produces an allergy to the spores of the aspergillus moulds. It is quite common in asthmatics; up to 20% of asthmatics might get this at some time during their lives. ABPA is also common in cystic fibrosis patients, as they reach adolescence and adulthood. The symptoms are similar to those of asthma: intermittent episodes of feeling unwell, coughing and wheezing. Some patients cough up brown-coloured plugs of mucus.

Aspergillus spores are found everywhere in the environment including the air we breathe. The spores can therefore enter everyone's lungs and can also enter wounds. This is how all Aspergillus diseases are contracted, although the underlying reasons for the different types of Aspergillus diseases differ. Invasive aspergillosis occurs almost exclusively in people with a damaged immune system.

In nonviable sampling generally only the spores are present to analyze. Aspergillus and Penicillium have very similar spores that cannot be distinguished from each other using nonviable techniques.

Stachybotrys chartarum is a greenish-black mold found on moist material containing cellulose, such as wood, paper, dust, lint, paper covered drywall, and ceiling tiles. Typically, Stachybotrys will not grow on concrete, linoleum, tile, fiberglass insulation, or fiberglass ceiling tiles. It is found where there is moisture from leaks, water damage, or high humidity. Aspergillus niger is usually a white or yellow mold covered with a dense layer of black spores.

No. People usually contract Aspergillus diseases by breathing in the spores as Aspergillus is everywhere in the environment. In addition someone must have an underlying disease for Aspergillus to be a problem. On one occasion a silent Aspergillus infection in an organ donor passed the infection on to the recipients of his/her organs, but this is exceptional.

The more serious health problems have been associated with the toxic black mold, Stachybotrys atra (chartarum)(3) Aspergillus niger is one of the species Aspergillus commonly found in the environment that can cause allergic reactions and pulmonary infection.(4)

Oral amphotericin B may be used to treat intestinal infections and does not have unpleasant side-effects like intravenous amphotericin B simply because it is not absorbed into the blood stream from the gut. Since oral amphotericin B is not absorbed from the gut, it can only be used to treat infections in the gut and not invasive aspergillosis.