Aspergillosis is an infection, growth, or allergic response due to the Aspergillus fungus.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAspergillosis is caused by a fungus (Aspergillus), which is commonly found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation. It can also be found on marijuana.
Although most people are frequently exposed to aspergillus, infections caused by the fungus rarely occur in people with a normal immune system. The rare infections caused by aspergillus include pneumonia and fungus ball (aspergilloma).
There are several forms of aspergillosis:
Symptoms depend on the type of infection. For symptoms of aspergillosis-related growth, see aspergilloma.
Symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may include:
Additional symptoms seen in invasive aspergillosis depend on the part of the body affected, and may include:
Tests to diagnose Aspergillus infection include:
A fungus ball is usually not treated (with antifungal medicines) unless there is bleeding into the lung tissue. In that case, surgery is required.
Invasive aspergillosis is treated with several weeks of an antifungal drug called voriconizole. It can be given orally or in an IV (directly into a vein). Amphotericin B, eichinocandins, or itraconazole can also be used.
Endocarditis caused by Aspergillus is treated by surgically removing the infected heart valves. Long-term amphotericin B therapy is also needed.
Antifungal drugs do not help people with allergic aspergillosis. Allergic aspergillosis is treated with immunosuppressive drugs -- most often prednisone taken by mouth.
Expectations (prognosis)People with allergic aspergillosis usually get better gradually, with treatment. It is common for the disease to come back (relapse) and need repeat treatment.
If invasive aspergillosis does not get better with drug treatment, it eventually leads to death. What happens to a person with invasive aspergillosis also depends on the underlying disease and immune system function.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of aspergillosis or if you have a weakened immune system and develop a fever.
PreventionBe careful when using medications that suppress the immune system. Prevention of AIDS prevents certain diseases, including aspergillosis, that are associated with a damaged or weaken immune system.
ReferencesStevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 360.
Walsh TJ, Anaissie EJ, Denning DW, et al. Treatment of aspergillosis: clinical pratice guidelines of the Infections Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(3):327-60.
Aspergillosis is an infection or allergic response due to the Aspergillus fungus.
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAspergillosis is caused by a fungus (Aspergillus), which is commonly found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation. It can also be found on marijuana leaves.
Although most people are often exposed to aspergillus, infections caused by the fungus rarely occur in people who have a normal immune system. The rare infections caused by aspergillus include pneumonia and fungus ball (aspergilloma).
There are several forms of aspergillosis:
Symptoms depend on the type of infection.
Symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may include:
Other symptoms depend on the part of the body affected, and may include:
Tests to diagnose Aspergillus infection include:
A fungus ball is usually not treated (with antifungal medicines) unless there is bleeding into the lung tissue. In that case, surgery is needed.
Invasive aspergillosis is treated with several weeks of an antifungal drug called voriconazole. It can be given by mouth or directly into a vein (IV). Amphotericin B, echinocandins, or itraconazole can also be used.
Endocarditis caused by Aspergillus is treated by surgically removing the infected heart valves. Long-term antifungal therapy is also needed.
Antifungal drugs alone do not help people with allergic aspergillosis. Allergic aspergillosis is treated with drugs that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive drugs) -- most often prednisone taken by mouth.
Expectations (prognosis)With treatment, people with allergic aspergillosis usually get better over time. It is common for the disease to come back (relapse) and need repeat treatment.
If invasive aspergillosis does not get better with drug treatment, it eventually leads to death. What happens to a person with invasive aspergillosis also depends on their disease and immune system function.
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you develop symptoms of aspergillosis or if you have a weakened immune system and develop a fever.
PreventionBe careful when using medications that suppress the immune system. Preventing AIDS also prevents certain diseases, including aspergillosis, that are associated with a damaged or weakened immune system.
ReferencesPatterson TF. Aspergillus species. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 258.
Stevens DA. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 360.
Walsh TJ, Anaissie EJ, Denning DW, et al. Treatment of aspergillosis: clinical practice guidelines of the Infections Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;46(3):327-60.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 06/09/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Aspergillosis can be a serious, potentially deadly threat
Aspergillosis belongs to the Kingdom Fungi.
An aspergillosis is any of a variety of infections by fungi of the genus Aspergillus which cause granulomatous lesions.
An aspergillosis is any of a variety of infections by fungi of the genus Aspergillus which cause granulomatous lesions.
Aspergillosis fungal infections can occur in the ear canal, eyes, nose, sinus cavities, and lungs
Aspergillosis is the name given to a wide variety of diseases caused by infection by fungi of the genus Aspergillus.
aspergillosis
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Once considered particularly rare, the incidence of reported aspergillosis has risen somewhat with the development of more sophisticated methods of diagnosis
Henrik Schonheyder has written: 'Pathogenetic and serological aspects of pulmonary aspergillosis' -- subject(s): Pulmonary aspergillosis
Aspergillosis can be quite difficult to diagnose because the symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing, if present at all, are common to many respiratory disorders
i have cystic fibrosis which is complicated by aspergillosis, as far as i am aware, it is neither curable nor treatable, however it can be somewhat controlled through the use of steroids and antibiotic such as itrocozol (not sure about spelling). of course it all depends on how servear it is.