Respirable Ergot Alkaloids from Aspergillus fumigatus

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an article of potential interest:

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, June 2005, p. 3106-3111, Vol. 71,

No. 6

Abundant Respirable Ergot Alkaloids from the Common Airborne Fungus

Aspergillus fumigatus

G. Panaccione* and M. Coyle

Abstract

Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins that interact with several monoamine

receptors, negatively affecting cardiovascular, nervous, reproductive, and

immune systems of exposed humans and animals. Aspergillus fumigatus, a

common airborne fungus and opportunistic human pathogen, can produce ergot

alkaloids in broth culture. The objectives of this study were to determine

if A. fumigatus accumulates ergot alkaloids in a respirable form in or on

its conidia, to quantify ergot alkaloids associated with conidia produced on

several different substrates, and to measure relevant physical properties of

the conidia. We found at least four ergot alkaloids, fumigaclavine C,

festuclavine, fumigaclavine A, and fumigaclavine B (in order of abundance),

associated with conidia of A. fumigatus. Under environmentally relevant

conditions, the total mass of ergot alkaloids often constituted >1% of the

mass of the conidium. Ergot alkaloids were extracted from conidia produced

on all media tested, and the greatest quantities were observed when the

fungus was cultured on latex paint or cultured maize seedlings. The values

for physical properties of conidia likely to affect their respirability

(i.e., diameter, mass, and specific gravity) were significantly lower for A.

fumigatus than for Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, and Stachybotrys

chartarum. The demonstration of relatively high concentrations of ergot

alkaloids associated with conidia of A. fumigatus presents opportunities for

investigations of potential contributions of the toxins to adverse health

effects associated with the fungus and to aspects of the biology of the

fungus that contribute to its success.

Wane

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Wane A. Baker, P.E., CIH

Director, Air Quality Services

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