Phenotypic characterization of clinical isolates of Aspergillus fumigatus and environmental isolates of Aspergillus fischeri

• Grant number: 24/23344-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Thaila Fernanda dos Reis
• Grantee: Sabrina Mazarin Sartorelli
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/07785-5 - Identification and analysis of enriched proteins on the conidial surface of the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, AP.JP

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungus responsible for initially infecting the lungs of immunocompromised individuals, causing, among other things, invasive aspergillosis (IPA), a disease that is difficult to diagnose and has high mortality rates, responsible for around 70% of cases of pulmonary aspergillosis. This fungus has conidia that disperse easily both in the air and on surfaces and can reach the host´s airways, causing an infection. In immunocompetent individuals, the innate immune system represents the first line of the host´s defense, eliminating inhaled conidia. However, in immunocompromised individuals, the infection develops and can lead to injuries and even death. A. fumigatus has a high rate of virulence, this factor is due to several genetic, molecular and biochemical characteristics that allow the fungus to develop and adapt well to different conditions such as changes in temperature, pH, pressure and limiting nutritional conditions. Therefore, the present project aims to understand which characteristics make A. fumigatus highly pathogenic and how this fungus acts when introduced into different environmental conditions. The current study will be carried out through comparisons with another morphologically similar Aspergillus specie but with low infection rates, Aspergillus fischeri. In this way, phenotypic tests will be carried out with the two species, aiming to understand fungal development in different environments and, therefore, making it possible to advance the understanding of the pathogenicity of the fungus in question.