Aspergillus, a common mold-forming fungus, can cause severe respiratory disease in patients with reduced immunity. Through screening 23 A. spinulosporus strains, researchers have identified, for the first time, seven clinical A. latus strains in patient samples. Their discovery of A. latus strains in samples obtained between 2012 and 2023 revealed a high misidentification rate of 30.4%. Continued surveillance and improved diagnostic tools can aid in the clinical management of Aspergillus infections.

Airborne microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria, are major contributors to indoor air pollution, with growing links to respiratory diseases. In a recent study, scientists from Korea explored the health effects of common airborne microbes by testing their toxicity in mice and calculating human-equivalent exposure limits. The results revealed that some fungi can cause lung inflammation and injury even at concentrations below current guideline levels, highlighting the need for species-specific indoor air quality standards.