Aspergillus fumigatus dsRNA virus promotes fungal fitness and pathogenicity in the mammalian host

Abstract excerpt

Aspergillus fumigatus accounts for approximately 65% of all invasive fungal infections in humans, with mortality rates from aspergillosis approaching 50%. Fungal virulence in plant pathogenic fungi can be modulated by viruses that infect fungi, also known as mycoviruses. However, their impact on fungal pathogenesis in mammals has remained largely unexplored. Here, utilizing an A. fumigatus strain naturally...