Aspergillus

Question 1

How do you get?

Answer 1

Inhale conidiophores then they grow as hyphae

Question 2

Populations at risk

Answer 2

Transplant recipients number one
Severe neutropenia (Chronic Granulomatous Disease)
Long term corticosteroids

Question 3

Chronic Granulomatous Disease

Answer 3

Mutations in NADPH oxidase decreases ROS production

Question 4

CgrA

Answer 4

Increases thermotolerance for ribosome biosynthesis
Delete it and get reduced hyphae and thus reduced virulence

Question 5

GAG

Answer 5

Increases adherence to plastics and host cells
Increases damage to host cells
Increases fungal burden

Question 6

PabaA

Answer 6

Makes PABA, an intermediate for folate synthesis
Delete to decrease virulence

Question 7

Gliotoxin

Answer 7

Decreases ROS production

Question 8

Secreted proteases

Answer 8

MEP, PEP, ALP
Do not affect virulence in vivo

Question 9

AlcC

Answer 9

Enzyme in fermentation
Lesions are hypoxic so must use fermentation to regenerate NAD+

Question 10

PksP

Answer 10

Creates melanin
Protects against ROS

Question 11

Catalase

Answer 11

Does not protect conidia
Semi protective of hyphae

Question 12

SOD

Answer 12

Protects against ROS

Question 13

Host control

Answer 13

Macrophages kill conidia
Neutrophils kill hyphae

Question 14

PAMPs and PRRs

Answer 14

Conidia
Mannan - TLR2/4
B glucan - dectin 1
Hyphae
Mannan - TLR2/4