Aspergillosis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Aspergillosis Definition:

A family of fungal organisms and molds, some of which can cause disease named aspergillosis. A fungal infection that may be life-threatening to patients with a weakened immune system. Aspergillosis may play a role in allergy, but is best known for causing serious pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients.

Aspergillus may be spread to other organs such as the eye, sinuses, and brain. It is a serious condition that requires treatment. A. terreus carries a much higher mortality rate than any of the more than 20 pathogenic Aspergillus species.

Aspergillosis Causes

Aspergillosis may be caused by the inhalation of the spores or fungus named aspergillus. The spores of the fungus collect in balls called aspergilloma causing cough, shortness of breath and phlegm. This can also occur in the sinuses. Aspergillus is commonly found in the environment. It grows on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppings, or compost piles. The species most commonly identified in patients with confirmed disease are A. fumigatus and A. flavus. Aspergillus infection of the ear named otomycosis.

Allergic aspergillosis causes wheezing, dyspnea, cough with some sputum production, or pleural pain. I may be produced itching and a discharge, sometimes noticed as a spot on the pillow.

Aspergillosis as a diagnosis refers to three general forms:

• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
• Aspergilloma
• Invasive fungal infection

Aspergillosis Symptoms

Symptoms differ depending upon the type of aspergillosis. The incubation period in aspergillosis ranges from a few days to weeks.

The symptoms of the aspergillosis may include:

• wheezing
• fever
• chest
• facial or bone pain
• shortness of breath
• worsening of asthma
• blood in the urine
• breathlessness
• Cough may produce brownish plugs or bloody sputum
• decreased output poor appetite and weight loss
• and fever and generally feeling unwell

Aspergillosis Treatments

The goal of aspergillosis treatment is to control symptomatic infection of the aspergillosis. Sometimes, surgical removal may be required.

Treatment of aspergilloma necessitates local excision of the lesion and supportive therapy, such as chest physiotherapy.

Allergic aspergillosis is also treated with oral prednisone.

Allergic aspergillosis also requires desensitization and possibly steroids.

Antibiotic, itraconazole, may also be helpful. But, these antifungal agents do not help people with allergic aspergillosis. Some people may benefit from allergy desensitization.