Deciphering <i>Aspergillus</i> section <i>Terrei</i> in <i>Galleria mellonella</i> model: a clade-specific pathogenicity characterization

With changing fungal epidemiology and an increasingly vulnerable population, cryptic <i>Aspergillus</i> species are emerging as human pathogens. Their diversity and clinical relevance remain underexplored, with some species showing reduced antifungal susceptibility and higher virulence, highlighting the need for better preparedness in clinical practice. Using the <i>Galleria mellonella</i> model, we assessed the virulence of <i>Aspergillus</i> species of section <i>Terrei</i>, including cryptic and non-cryptic species, across three series <i>Terrei</i>, <i>Nivei</i>, and <i>Ambigui</i>. The results revealed significant virulence variation among the series, with some cryptic species displaying high virulence. Histological analysis confirmed increased hyphal formation and fungal spread in the more virulent species. Additionally, elevated azole minimum inhibitory concentrations were also observed in certain cryptic species. This study presents novel insights into the pathogenicity of <i>Aspergillus</i> section <i>Terrei</i>, emphasizing the critical importance of accurately identifying cryptic species due to their diverse virulence potential and antifungal resistance, which may have substantial clinical implications.