Changes in the elastase activity and colonization ability of Aspergillus fumigatus after successive inoculations in mice.
In a previous work we demonstrated a clear link between elastase activity and pathogenicity using what we have named the Elastase Activity Index (EAI). In the present study we have evaluated the possible variability of this index as a consequence of successive inoculations in mice. Two strains of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from the environment without elastase activity were used. These strains were inoculated into successive batches of ten mice. Our results showed that with each inoculation there was an increase in the number of mice on each batch from which the strain could be isolated and an increase in the number of strains with an EAI>1. This study suggests that A. fumigatus could adapt to the environment in which it is developed, increasing its pathogenic capabilities from host to host.
García
Marta E
ME
Departamento Sanidad Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Caballero
Jesús
J
Blanco
Isabel
I
Cruzado
Mar
M
Costas
Eduardo
E
Blanco
José L
JL
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000633:toxicity; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000633:toxicity; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis*; D014774:Virulence
D005656:Fungal Proteins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase