Aspergillus Detection

Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by species of the Aspergillus genus. These are ubiquitous environmental filamentous fungi commonly found in soil, rotting leaves and compost, dust, crops and plants, damp buildings, and air conditioning units.

Aspergillosis is contracted by inhalation of the spores of the Aspergillus fungus into the lungs. However, as an opportunistic pathogen, the spores very rarely cause disease in healthy individuals with fully functioning immune systems. Unfortunately, in the medically vulnerable, particularly those with compromised immune systems, these same spores can multiply, forming fibrous fungal growths in the lungs and can ultimately lead to a serious, often fatal fungal infection called invasive aspergillosis.