Aspergillus spp.
Aspergillus spp.
SECTION I – INFECTIOUS AGENT
NAME: Aspergillus spp.
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Aspergillosis, farmer’s lung, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. terreus.
CHARACTERISTICS: The genus Aspergillus belongs to the class Euascomycetes of the Phylum Ascomycota. They consist of anamorphic (asexual) species with known or presumed telomorphic forms in the family Trichocomaceae. The genus Aspergillus includes seven subgenera, each containing several species. Aspergillus spp. contain approximately 184 species, 40 of which have been reported to cause human or animal infections. Aspergillus spp. reproduce by producing conidia on uniseriate or biseriate phialides. Aspergillus colonies grow rapidly, producing white, green, yellow, or black colonies.
SECTION II – HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: Aspergillus spp. includes many species, about 40 of which have been implicated in human or animal infections. Aspergillosis is a common term used to describe infections caused by different species of Aspergillus. Most cases of aspergillosis are caused by A. fumigatus, with A. flavus and A. niger being the second most common pathogenic Aspergillus spp. worldwide. Diseases caused by Aspergillus spp. include clinical allergies (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, rhinitis, Farmers’s lung), superficial and local infections (cutaneous infections, otomycosis, tracheobronchitis), infections associated with damaged tissue (aspergilloma, osteomyelitis), and invasive pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections. Invasive infections due to Aspergillus spp. occur mainly in immunocompromised individuals and are the most severe forms of infections caused by Aspergillus spp. Invasive aspergillosis is most commonly caused by A. fumigatus, but other species such as A. flavus, A. nidulans, and A. terreus have also been reported to cause invasive infections. Invasive infections primarily involve the sino-pulmonary tract, with lung being the most common site of invasion. Clinical signs suggestive of invasive sinusitis include fever, facial pain, headache, asymmetric facial swelling, epistaxis, proptosis, cranial nerve abnormalities, ischemia of the palate, and bone erosion. Fever, cough, and dyspnea are the most common but non-specific symptoms of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Vascular invasion may also occur and may manifest as pleural chest pain. If left untreated, hematogenous dissemination involving any organ may occur. The most serious condition is the involvement of the CNS, leading to seizures or stroke.
EPIDEMIOLOGY: Aspergillus spp. are found worldwide, and widely distributed in the environment. Aspergillus spp. are rare causes of disease in humans, and occur primarily in immunocompromised individuals. Invasive infections caused by Aspergillus spp. have been associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality especially in immune compromised individuals such as transplant patients. In the United States, the number of aspergillosis related deaths in immunocompromised individuals increased from 0.04 deaths per 100,000 people in 1980 to 0.15 deaths per 100,000 people in 1997. The incidence of invasive Aspergillus in patients with acute leukemia was reported to be 12.7 %, with a death rate of 13% in the year 2006 in United States. Compared to 2003, the mortality associated with invasive aspergillosis in acute leukemia patients has decreased from 24%, and the incidence has increased from 5.8%.
HOST RANGE: Humans, cows, dolphins, birds, and horses.
MODE OF TRANSMISSION: Inhalation of airborne conidia, through contaminated water (exposure to conidia during showering), and nosocomial infections (hospital fabrics and plastics may serve as importance source of Aspergillus spp.).
INFECTIOUS DOSE: Unknown.
INCUBATION PERIOD: 2 days – 3 months.
COMMUNICABILITY: No evidence of human to human transmission.
SECTION III – DISSEMINATION
RESERVOIR: Conidia of Aspergillus are present in decomposing organic matter and soil. Water and food may also act as reservoirs of transmission of Aspergillus spp.
ZOONOSIS: None.
VECTOR: None.
SECTION IV – STABILITY AND VIABILITY
DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY/RESISTANCE: Aspergillus spp. are resistant to itraconazole. Some A. fumigatus isolates have been reported to be resistant to voriconazole and posaconazole and echinocandins. This organism is susceptible to voriconazole and amphotericin B.
SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DISINFECTANTS: A. niger and A. fumigatus are sensitive to 0.5% alkaline solution of glutaraldehyde. A. niger is also sensitive to 0.125% butyl paraban ester. A 1:50 dilution of a phenolic disinfectant containing 15% 2-phenylphenol and 6.3% 4-ter-amylphenol has shown to be effective against A. fumigatus but not A. niger. Aspergillus spp. are also susceptible to sodium hypochlorite and cupric sulphate.
PHYSICAL INACTIVATION: Conidia are generally heat resistant; however, treatment at 60oC for 45 minutes has been reported to completely inactivate A. niger, and A. flavus conidia. A. fumigatus, considered to be the most pathogenic species, cannot be completely inactivated by this procedure, although its initial concentration is reduced by 3 logs. Microwave irradiation at 800 watts for 90 seconds to 2 minutes is also effective in inactivating conidia A. fumigatus and A. flavus.
SURVIVAL OUTSIDE HOST: Can survive in soil and decomposing vegetation.
SECTION V – FIRST AID / MEDICAL
SURVEILLANCE: Monitor for symptoms. Diagnosis of infection is made by direct examination of Aspergillus hyphal elements and hyphal morphology in routine KOH Aspergillus preparations or in tissue sections stained with fungal stains. Detection of Aspergillus antigen (galactomanan or 1,3-β-D-glucan) or antibodies in serum or other body fluids or a positive skin test result, or PCR can also be used.
Note: All diagnostic methods are not necessarily available in all countries.
FIRST AID/TREATMENT: The guidelines of the Infectious Diseases Society of America recommend the use of voriconazole as the primary therapy for invasive aspergillosis . Amphotericin B deoxycholate can also be used as initial therapy . Amphotericin B lipid complex and Caspofungin are used for patients who are intolerant of conventional amphotericin B therapy . Debridement is required for local aspergillosis such as sinusitis, cutaneous disease and osteomyelitis .
IMMUNIZATION: None.
PROPHYLAXIS: Prophylaxis for Aspergillus spp. is recommended for those at risk of invasive aspergillosis, such as those with graft vs. host disease or neutropenic patients with acute myeloid leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.
SECTION VI – LABORATORY HAZARDS
LABORATORY-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS: None reported so far.
SOURCE/SPECIMENS: Sputum, biopsy material, transtracheal aspirates, blood, soil.
PRIMARY HAZARDS: Inhalation of air contaminated with Aspergillus spores.
SPECIAL HAZARDS: None.
SECTION VII – EXPOSURE CONTROLS / PERSONAL PROTECTION
RISK GROUP CLASSIFICATION: Risk group 2. This risk group applies to the genus as a whole, and may not apply to every species within the genus.
CONTAINMENT REQUIRMENT: Containment Level 2 facilities, equipment, and operational practices for work involving infectious or potentially infectious materials, animals, or cultures. These containment requirements apply to the genus as a whole, and may not apply to each species within the genus.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING: Lab coat. Gloves when direct skin contact with infected materials or animals is unavoidable. Eye protection must be used where there is a known or potential risk of exposure to splashes.
OTHER PRECAUTIONS: All procedures that may produce aerosols, or involve high concentrations or large volumes should be conducted in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). The use of needles, syringes, and other sharp objects should be strictly limited. Additional precautions should be considered with work involving animals or large scale activities.
SECTION VIII – HANDLING AND STORAGE
SPILLS: Allow aerosols to settle, then, wearing protective clothing, gently cover the spill with absorbent paper towel and apply appropriate disinfectant, starting at the perimeter and working towards the center. Allow sufficient contact time before clean up.
DISPOSAL: Decontaminate all wastes that contain or have come in contact with the infectious organism by autoclave, chemical disinfection, gamma irradiation, or incineration before disposing.
STORAGE: The infectious agent should be stored in leak-proof containers that are appropriately labeled.
SECTION IX – REGULATORY AND OTHER INFORMATION
REGULATORY INFORMATION: The import, transport, and use of pathogens in Canada is regulated under many regulatory bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Transport Canada. Users are responsible for ensuring they are compliant with all relevant acts, regulations, guidelines, and standards.
UPDATED: October 2010
PREPARED BY: Pathogen Regulation Directorate, Public Health Agency of Canada
Although the information, opinions and recommendations contained in this Pathogen Safety Data sheet are compiled from sources believed to be reliable, we accept no responsibility for the accuracy, sufficiency, or reliability or for any loss or injury resulting from the use of the information. Newly discovered hazards are frequent and this information may not be completely up to date.
Copyright © Public Health Agency of Canada, 2010
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