Aspergillus

Aspergillus /As·per·gil·lus/ (as″per-jil´us) a genus of fungi (molds), various species of which are endoparasitic and opportunistic pathogens, and some of which produce antibiotics; it includes A. clava´tus, A. fla´vus, A. fumiga´tus, A. ni´dulans, A. ni´ger, A. ochra´ceus, and A. ter´reus.

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As·per·gil·lus (spr-jls)

n.

A genus of fungi that includes many common molds.

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Aspergillus

[as′pərjil′əs]

Etymology: L, aspergere, to sprinkle

a genus of fungi that is a common contaminant in the laboratory and a cause of nosocomial infection. The fungus has hyphae and spores, lives in the soil, is ubiquitous, and proliferates rapidly. Inhalation of the spores of the two pathogenic species, A. fumigatus and A. flavus, is common, but infection is rare. However, allergic reaction to the spores can also occur.

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Aspergillus [as″per-jil´us]

a genus of fungi (molds), several species of which are endoparasitic and opportunistic pathogens.

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aspergillosis (asp´prjlōsis),

n an infection caused by a fungus of the genus
Aspergillus. Most commonly affects the ear but is capable of causing inflammatory, granulomatous lesions on or in any organ.

Aspergillus,

n a genus of fungi that is a common contaminant in the laboratory and a cause of nosocomial infection. See also aspergillosis.

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Aspergillus

a genus of fungi (molds), several species of which are parasitic and opportunistic pathogens. Others produce toxins and when they contaminate animal feeds they can cause heavy losses. Includes A. amstelodami, A. chevalieri, A. clavatus, A. flavus oryzae, A. fumigatus, A. maydis, A. niger, A. ochraceus, A. parasiticus, A. taumanii, A. wentii.

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Aspergillus fumigatus

a cause of respiratory tract disease in many species. See airsacculitis, aspergillosis.

Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus versicolor

produce known carcinogenic toxin, sterigmatocystin.

Aspergillus terreus

a cause of fescue foot and the most common cause of canine disseminated aspergillosis.

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Aspergillus

Mycology A genus of fungi of the class Deuteromycetes, which are soil dwellers, with ± 300 species, some of which are human pathogens. See Aspergillus fumigatus.