Quantitative Monitoring of Mycelial Growth of Aspergillus fumigatus in Liquid Culture by Optical Density
Ken Miyazawa, Takashi Umeyama, Yasutaka Hoshino, Keietsu Abe, Yoshitsugu Miyazaki
Abstract
Filamentous fungi generally form hyphal pellets in liquid culture. This property prevents filamentous fungi so that we may apply the methods used for unicellular organisms such as yeast and bacteria. In the present study, by using the fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus strain with modified hyphal surface polysaccharides, we succeeded in monitoring the hyphal growth quantitatively by optical density. The principle of this easy measurement by optical density could lead to a novel standard of hyphal quantification such as those that have been used for yeasts and bacteria. Dose response of hyphal growth by antifungal agents could also be monitored. This method could be useful for screening for novel antifungal reagents against Aspergillus species.