For over a century microbiologists and immunologist have categorized microorganisms as pathogenic or non-pathogenic species or genera. This definition, clearly relevant at the strain and species level for most bacteria, where differences in virulence between strains of a particular species are well known, has never been probed at the strain level in fungal species. Here, we tested the immune reactivity and the pathogenic potential of a collection of strains from Aspergillus spp, a fungus that is generally considered pathogenic in immuno-compromised hosts. Our results show a wide strain-dependent variation of the immune response elicited indicating that different isolates possess diverse virulence and infectivity. Thus, the definition of markers of inflammation or pathogenicity cannot be generalized. The profound understanding of the molecular mechanisms subtending the different immune responses will result solely from the comparative study of strains with extremely diverse properties.

Rizzetto, L.; Giovannini, G.; Bromley, M.; Bowyer, P.; Romani, L.; Cavalieri, D. (2013). Strain dependent variation of immune responses to A. fumigatus: definition of pathogenic species. PLOS ONE, 8 (2): e56651. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056651 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/21821

Strain dependent variation of immune responses to A. fumigatus: definition of pathogenic species

Rizzetto, Lisa;Cavalieri, Duccio
2013-01-01

Abstract

For over a century microbiologists and immunologist have categorized microorganisms as pathogenic or non-pathogenic species or genera. This definition, clearly relevant at the strain and species level for most bacteria, where differences in virulence between strains of a particular species are well known, has never been probed at the strain level in fungal species. Here, we tested the immune reactivity and the pathogenic potential of a collection of strains from Aspergillus spp, a fungus that is generally considered pathogenic in immuno-compromised hosts. Our results show a wide strain-dependent variation of the immune response elicited indicating that different isolates possess diverse virulence and infectivity. Thus, the definition of markers of inflammation or pathogenicity cannot be generalized. The profound understanding of the molecular mechanisms subtending the different immune responses will result solely from the comparative study of strains with extremely diverse properties.
Settore BIO/19 - MICROBIOLOGIA GENERALE
2013
Rizzetto, L.; Giovannini, G.; Bromley, M.; Bowyer, P.; Romani, L.; Cavalieri, D. (2013). Strain dependent variation of immune responses to A. fumigatus: definition of pathogenic species. PLOS ONE, 8 (2): e56651. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056651 handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10449/21821
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2013 POne Rizzetto et al.pdf

accesso aperto

Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.19 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.19 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

Questo articolo è pubblicato sotto una Licenza Licenza Creative Commons Creative Commons

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10449/21821
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 61
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 68
social impact