A notable Aspergillus from a mortal aspergilloma of the lung. New aspects of the epidemiology, serodiagnosis and taxonomy of Aspergillus fumigatus

Abstract

Different basic mycological observations were made in relation to a fatal case of aspergilloma of the lung in a 45-year-old male. Cultural examination of the sputum and autopsy material from the lung revealed the predominant presence of a white fungus along with a scarce growth of the typical Aspergillus fumigatus. The white isolate produced conidial heads almost similar to that of A. fumigatus but with apparent septation in the phialides. With the help of the immunodiffusion test and use of the antigens from the typical A. fumigatus strain and from the white isolate, antibodies could be detected in the serum of this patient and an antigenetic relationship between these fungi could be observed. It is assumed that this white isolate is a variant of A. fumigatus and its presence in the lung is an indication of chronic or progressed aspergillosis caused by A. fumigatus. Cultural characteristics and developmental morphology of this fungus and the serodiagnostic value of the antigen derived from it will be described in detail in separate communications.