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Population structure in a fungal human pathogen is potentially linked to pathogenicity

Author

Listed:
  • E. Anne Hatmaker

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Amelia E. Barber

    (Friedrich Schiller University)

  • Milton T. Drott

    (USDA)

  • Thomas J. C. Sauters

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Adiyantara Gumilang

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University)

  • Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo

    (Instituto de Salud Carlos III
    Carlos III Heath Institute)

  • Dea Garcia-Hermoso

    (Mycology Department)

  • Justin L. Eagan

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Nancy P. Keller

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison
    University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Dimitrios P. Kontoyiannis

    (University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

  • Oliver Kurzai

    (Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans-Knoell-Institute
    University of Würzburg)

  • Antonis Rokas

    (Vanderbilt University
    Vanderbilt University)

Abstract

Aspergillus flavus is a clinically and agriculturally important saprotrophic fungus responsible for severe human infections and extensive crop losses. Here, we analyze genomic data from 300 (117 clinical and 183 environmental) A. flavus isolates from 13 countries, including 82 clinical isolates sequenced in this study, to examine population and pan-genome structure and their relationship to pathogenicity. We use single nucleotide polymorphisms to build a phylogeny, analyze admixture, and perform discriminant analysis of principal components. We identify five A. flavus populations, including a new population, D, corresponding to distinct clades in the genome-wide phylogeny. Strikingly, > 75% of clinical isolates were in population D and

Suggested Citation

  • E. Anne Hatmaker & Amelia E. Barber & Milton T. Drott & Thomas J. C. Sauters & Adiyantara Gumilang & Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo & Dea Garcia-Hermoso & Justin L. Eagan & Nancy P. Keller & Dimitrios P. Kon, 2025. "Population structure in a fungal human pathogen is potentially linked to pathogenicity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62777-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62777-9
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