Aspergillosis
| Aspergillosis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Pulmonary invasive aspergillosis in a person with interstitial pneumonia (autopsy material), using Grocott's methenamine silver stain | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Medical specialty | Infectious disease |
| Complications | Bleeding, systemic infection[1] |
| Causes | Aspergillus fungal infection |
| Frequency | 14 million |
Aspergillosis is an caused by aspergillus fungi. There are five different types of aspergillosis. Most of the time it affects the lungs and cause breathing difficulties.[2]
Treatment & types
[change | change source]There are five types of aspergillus infections, with their own signs and symptoms, complications, and treatment.
- Asthma: (Type 1 hypersensitivity). A lot of the time, asthmatics are also affected by ABPA.
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA[permanent dead link]): Type 1 and 3 hypersensitivity reaction to aspergillus fumigatas. Affects 1-5% of asthmatics, 2-25% of cystic fibrosis sufferers. Treatment is: Steroid tablets and antifungal tablets.[2]
- Mycetoma (aspergilloma): ball of fungi in the lungs. Often linked with CPA.[2] Treatment is: Surgery to remove the ball if it is causing symptoms, often after antifungal treatment.[2]
- Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA): Dangerous for immunocompromised people. Can spread due to the over use of broad-spectrum antibiotics (medicines used for a wide range of infection). Treatment is: Antifungal medicine given directly into a vein in hospital.[2]
- Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA): chronic (long or serious) infection of aspergillus Treatment is: Long-term (possibly lifelong) treatment with antifungal tablets.[2]
Similar
[change | change source]Apergillus (malt workers lung), bird fanciers lung (from bird droppings)
References
[change | change source]- ↑ "Aspergillosis". mayoclinic.org. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "Aspergillosis". nhs.uk. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2024-05-18.