Table of Contents
Is Aspergillus niger harmful to humans?
Human and animal disease Aspergillus niger is less likely to cause human disease than some other Aspergillus species. In extremely rare instances, humans may become ill, but this is due to a serious lung disease, aspergillosis, that can occur.
What disease does Aspergillus niger cause?
Aspergillus niger causes several diseases including black mold (or black rot) of onions and garlic, crown rot of peanuts, and vine canker of table grapes. In black rot of onions and garlic, A. niger develops between the outer (dead, flaky) skin and the first fleshy scales of the bulb which become water soaked.
How do you treat Aspergillus niger?
Antifungal medications. These drugs are the standard treatment for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The most effective treatment is a newer antifungal drug, voriconazole (Vfend). Amphotericin B is another option. All antifungal drugs can have serious side effects, including kidney and liver damage.
How do you get Aspergillus niger?
Aspergillus niger is among the most common fungi isolated from nuts (peanuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, kola nuts, coconut and copra). Cereals and oilseeds are also frequent sources, especially maize, but A.
Is Aspergillus niger significant?
Aspergillus niger is a filamentous ascomycete fungus that is ubiquitous in the environment and has been implicated in opportunistic infections of humans. In addition to its role as an opportunistic human pathogen, A. niger is economically important as a fermentation organism used for the production of citric acid.
What part of the body does Aspergillus affect?
Invasive aspergillosis: Occurs when Aspergillus causes a serious infection, and usually affects people who have weakened immune systems, such as people who have had an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant. Invasive aspergillosis most commonly affects the lungs, but it can also spread to other parts of the body.
Who is at risk for Aspergillus?
People who have air spaces (cavities) in their lungs are at higher risk of developing aspergillomas. Asthma or cystic fibrosis. People with asthma and cystic fibrosis, especially those whose lung problems are long-standing or hard to control, are more likely to have an allergic response to aspergillus mold.
What causes Aspergillus in lungs?
When mold spores are inhaled, immune system cells surround and destroy them. But people who have a weakened immune system from illness or immunosuppressant medications have fewer infection-fighting cells. This allows aspergillus to take hold, invading the lungs and, in the most serious cases, other parts of the body.
Can humans get Aspergillus niger disease?
Human and animal disease. Aspergillus niger is less likely to cause human disease than some other Aspergillus species. In extremely rare instances, humans may become ill, but this is due to a serious lung disease, aspergillosis, that can occur.
What is the morphology of Aspergillus niger?
Aspergillus niger is a filamentous fungus, forming filamented hyphae that make them appear like small plants. Macroscopic observation of Aspergillus niger reveals that their growth is initially white but they change to black after a few days producing conidial spore.
What is Aspergillus niger used for?
Aspergillus niger is a fungus and one of the most common species of the genus Aspergillus. Aspergillus niger is also cultured for the extraction of the enzyme, glucose oxidase, used in the design of glucose biosensors, due to its high affinity for β-D-glucose.
What is Aspergillus niger and what causes ear infections?
Aspergillus niger is one of the most common causes of otomycosis (fungal ear infections), which can cause pain, temporary hearing loss, and, only in severe cases, damage to the ear canal and tympanic membrane .