Aspergillosis Prepared by Ms Saajida Sultaana Mahusook and Ms Karthiga

1. TRANSMISSION
Airborne transmission
Inhalation of the fungal spores
Non communicable
ASPERGILLOSIS
TYPES & PATHOGENESIS
Develops mostly in individuals with structural abnormalities within the
lungs/ severely impaired resistance to infections
Inhalation of fungal mycelia leads to Aspergillosis
In the lung, alveolar macrophage are able to engulf and destroy the
conidia. Conidia swell and germinate to produce hyphae that have a
tendency to invade pre-existing cavities or blood vessels.
Based on the type of infection Aspergillosis is clinically classified into
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
Affects Atrophic individuals
Development of IgE antibody to surface antigen of Aspergillus conidia
causes immediate asthmatic reaction
Conidia germinate and hyphae colonize the bronchial tree without
invading the lung parenchyma
Symptoms are similar to those of asthma: intermittent episodes of feeling
unwell, coughing and wheezing- “Fungal asthma”
Eosinophil accumulation
Type 1 & 2 hypersensitivity, inflammation of the lungs
Risk factor: Atopy
Aspergilloma and Extrapulmonary colonization
The inhaled conidia enters into lungs and germinate in existing cavity of
individuals past lung disease or lung scarring such as tuberculosis or lung
abscess and produce abundant hyphae in the extra pulmonary space
Usually does not spread to other parts of the body.
a ball of Aspergillus grows in the lungs or sinuses
Symptoms: Chronic cough, dyspnea, weight loss, fatigue, blood sputum
Invasive Aspergillosis
Occurs most often in people with a weakened immune system.
Inhalation and germination of the conidia, develop as acute pneumonic
process with/ without dissemination
Invasive disease
Symptoms: Fever, cough, dyspea,, hyphae invade lumen of the blood
vessels causing thrombsis, necrosis
Risk factors: AIDS, Diabetes, Malignacy, Aplastic anemia
TREATMENT
Amphotericini B, Itraconazole, Flucytosine,coticosteroids
Caution: Azole antifungal drugs have many drug interactions.
CAUSATIVE AGENT
Mold: Aspergillus species
A. fumigatus (most prevalent), A. flavus, A. niger, and A. terreus
Ubiquitous in nature
DIAGNOSIS
• Specimen: Blood/ sputum/ Lung biopsy
• Culture
• Microscopic observation- 10% KOH or calcoflour white:
hyaline, septate with uniform width
• X- ray
Deep mycosis
The illness usually affects respiratory system
CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS
Aspergillus species grow very rapidly
producing aerial mycelium that become
powdery and pigmented conidia.
Identification based on the color of colony
and morphology of conidia.
Characterized by conidiophore
A. fumigatus Fungal
asthma
Fungal
ball