Aspergillosis
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[1].
| Aspergillosis | |
|---|---|
_invasive_type.jpg) | |
| 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[2] |
| Causes | Aspergillus fungal infection |
| Frequency | 14 million |
Treatment & Types[change | change source]
There are five types of aspergillus infections, with their own signs and symptoms, complixations, and treatment.
• Asthma: (Type 1 hypersensitivity). A lot of the time, asthmatics are also affected by ABPA.
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): 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[1].
• Mycetoma (aspergilloma): ball of fungi in the lungs. Often linked with CPA[1]. Treatment is: Surgery to remove the ball if it's causing symptoms, often after antifungal treatment[1].
• 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[1].
• Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA): chronic (long or serious) infection of aspergillus Treatment is: Long-term (possibly lifelong) treatment with antifungal tablets[1].
Similar[change | change source]
Apergillus (malt workers lung), bird fanciers lung (from bird droppings)
Help is available for patients and carers:[change | change source]
References[change | change source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Aspergillosis". nhs.uk. 2017-10-20. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ↑ "Aspergillosis". mayoclinic.org. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved June 5, 2022.