Abstract
The number of patients with invasive fungal infection (IFI) has dramatically increased since the beginning of the 1980s. Aspergillus fumigatus, the most common species recovered from aspergillosis, is an important pathogen of IFI. Recently, new antifungal agents have become available in Japan, but mortality from aspergillosis is still high. Early initiation of therapy seems to improve the survival rate. Study of virulence factors of the fungus may lead to the development of novel diagnostic tools or advancements in therapy. Many candidates of the fungal virulence factors have been studied including proteases and mycotoxins. We previously discussed the influence of fungal secondary metabolites such as gliotoxin and other low molecular components on the virulence, and showed that A. fumigatus produces potent cytotoxic substances other than gliotoxin. Studies are in progress to clarify the significance of the unknown substances.
