Rapid germination of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia in mouse kidneys and a kidney extract.

Intravenously injected conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus germinated rapidly in the kidneys of untreated and cortisone-treated specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice and in the livers of cortisone-treated SPF mice. Extracts of kidneys from untreated and cortisone-treated mice stimulated germination of A. fumigatus conidia in vitro. The possible roles of a germination stimulant and host defences in the kidney localisation of A. fumigatus infection are discussed.