the environment and in the host (unlike Candida albicans which is a dimorphic mold in the environment and a yeast in the body). Aspergillosis Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. The most common species among paranasal sinus infections associated with aspergillosis is A. fumigatus. The symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, or breathlessness, which also occur in many other illnesses, so diagnosis can be difficult. Usually, only patients with already weakened immune systems or who suffer other lung conditions are susceptible. In humans, the major forms of disease are: Acute invasive aspergillosis, a form that grows into surrounding tissue, more common in those with weakened immune systems such as AIDS or chemotherapy patients Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, which affects patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and sinusitis Aspergilloma, a "fungus ball" that can form within cavities such as the lung Disseminated invasive aspergillosis, an infection spread widely through the body Fungal infections from Aspergillus spores remain one theory of sickness and untimely death of some early Egyptologists and tomb explorers. Ancient spores which grew on the remains of food offerings and mummies sealed in tombs and chambers may have been blown around and inhaled by the excavators, ultimately linked to the notion of the curse of the pharaohs. Aspergillosis of the air passages is also frequently reported in birds, and certain species of Aspergillus have been known to infect insects. Most people inhale Aspergillus into their lungs everyday, but generally only the immuno-compromised become sick with Aspergillosis. See also List of Aspergillus species Mold health issues Sick building syndrome References Further reading External links Aspergillus Comparative Database Comparative genomic resource at the Broad Institute Aspergillus Genome Resources (NIH) Aspergillus surveillance project at a large tertiary-care hospital. (PDF). Central Aspergillus Data Repository FungiDB: An integrated functional genomics database for fungi and oomycetes Mold and Mildew The Aspergillus Genome Database The Aspergillus/Aspergillosis Website An encyclopedia of Aspergillus for patients, doctors and scientists The Fungal Genetics Stock Center Parasitic fungi Eurotiomycetes genera