Aspergillus parasiticus

Aspergillus parasiticus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Fungi
Division: Ascomycota
Class: Eurotiomycetes
Order: Eurotiales
Family: Aspergillaceae
Genus: Aspergillus
Species:
A. parasiticus
Binomial name
Aspergillus parasiticus
Speare (1912)
Type strain
UAMH 9603
Synonyms
  • Aspergillus flavus subsp. parasiticus (Speare) Kurtzman, M.J. Smiley, Robnett & Wicklow (1986)
  • Petromyces parasiticus Petromyces parasiticus (2009)
  • Aspergillus chungii Y.K. Shih, Lingnan (1936)

Aspergillus parasiticus is a fungus belonging to the genus Aspergillus.[1] This species is an unspecialized saprophytic mold, mostly found outdoors in areas of rich soil with decaying plant material as well as in dry grain storage facilities.[2] Often confused with the closely related species, A. flavus, A. parasiticus has defined morphological and molecular differences.[3] Aspergillus parasiticus is one of three fungi able to produce the mycotoxin, aflatoxin, one of the most carcinogenic naturally occurring substances.[3] Environmental stress can upregulate aflatoxin production by the fungus, which can occur when the fungus is growing on plants that become damaged due to exposure to poor weather conditions, during drought, by insects, or by birds.[2] In humans, exposure to A. parasiticus toxins can cause delayed development in children and produce serious liver diseases and/or hepatic carcinoma in adults.[3] The fungus can also cause the infection known as aspergillosis in humans and other animals. A. parasiticus is of agricultural importance due to its ability to cause disease in corn, peanut, and cottonseed.[2][4]

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  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference pitt1999 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference OG1912 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).