Aspergillus flavus

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Aspergillus Flavus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Eurotiomycetes Order: Eurotiales Family: Trichocomaceae Genus: Aspergillus Species: A. flavus
Binomial name
Aspergillus flavus

Description and significance

Aspergillus flavus is a filamentous fungus. It produces a carcinogenic toxin called aflatoxin. Aflatoxin can cause cancer and liver damage in humans and animals ⁴.When crops are infected with A. Flavus thier value decreases because of the exposure of the crop to aflatoxin.² Aspergillus Flavus is mainly a saprophyte, meaning it obtains its nutrients from dead or decaying material, but it can also be a pathogen to plants animals and humans.¹

Pathology

A. Flavus ia an opportunistic pathogen, which allows it to infect animals, humans and plants. It is not virulent in healthy viable tissues. It gains access to seeds through wounds and insect larval exit holes. A. Flavus targets seeds with poor viability. In humans A. Flavus is associated with aspergillosis, a secondary respiratory infection in immuno-compromised patients. In certain areas it is also the cause of superficial infections. ² Infections A. Flavus can cause are corneal, otomycotic, and nasoorbital infections.³

References

1. http://www.aspergillusflavus.org/aflavus/

2. Mellon J, Cotty P, Dowd M. Aspergillus flavus hydrolases: their roles in pathogenesis and substrate utilization. Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology [serial online]. December 2007;77(3):497-504. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 12, 2009

3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspergillus_flavus Accessed April 13, 2009

4. Mold-Help.org. "Aspergillus." Accessed April 13, 2009