Description
Aspergillus terreus, also known as Aspergillus terrestris, is a fungus (mold) found worldwide in soil. Aspergillus terreus can cause opportunistic infection in people with deficient immune systems.
As an opportunistic pathogen, it is able to cause both systemic and superficial infections. Inhalation of fungal spores, which travel down along the respiratory tract, cause the typical respiratory infection. Other infections could also occur, such as onychomycosis and otomycosis. A. terreus has the ability to cause serious effects in immunocompromised patients who lack specific immune cells. Specifically, prolonged neutropenia predisposes humans and animals to this fungal disease.
Aspergillus terreus can cause infection in animals, but it is contained to a few species such as dogs and cattle.
