Aspergillus fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the fungus Aspergillus sp., cause of aspergillosis and mycetoma. Here, fungal threads are swollen into conidiophores (fruiting bodies) which bear chains of conidia (spores) at the tip. Aspergillus produces toxins that lead to food contamination. This species may also cause aspergillosis, a hypersensitive lung reaction in asthmatics and those with lowered resistance, provoked by repeated inhalation of the spores. Mycetoma (Madura foot) may result when this fungus infects subcutaneous tissue, bone and skin. Magnification: x240 at 5x7cm size.