Aspergillus is a common environmental fungus that can cause disease in humans under certain conditions. It is commonly inhaled, but usually does not cause illness in healthy individuals. However, in people with weakened immune systems, it can infect the lungs and spread throughout the body. The most common types of aspergillosis are acute invasive infection, allergic reaction, aspergilloma (fungus ball), and chronic necrotizing pulmonary infection. Diagnosis involves culturing samples, biopsy, or imaging tests. Voriconazole is usually the first-line treatment, along with surgery in some cases. Risk can be reduced by avoiding dusty areas and using protective masks.

2. Aspergillus most commonly enters the human body
via inhalation. Most
people breathe in aspergillus spores every day, with no
ill-effect.
However, in patients with pre-existing medical conditions,
aspergillus can start to proliferate and cause disease,
primarily a lung infection. Infection is more likely if a large
number of spores are inhaled, such as on exposure to a
very dusty environment or during renovation of a
building.

3. On rare occasions, the fungus
may enter via the skin
(primary cutaneous aspergillos
is), particularly in patients
with thermal burns or trauma.
Occasionally, outbreaks of
primary cutaneous
aspergillosis is due to
contaminated biomedical
equipment.

4. There are four common clinical patterns of disease.
Acute invasive aspergillosis
Allergic aspergillosis
Aspergilloma
Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis

5. Acute invasive aspergillosis
•Acute invasive aspergillus has a rapid onset and the
disease progresses quickly.
•The fungus invades and damages body tissues; most
commonly the lungs and/or sinuses, but can spread
throughout the body via the bloodstream.
•Symptoms include fever, cough, breathlessness, chest
pain, facial swelling, bleeding nose, bulging of an eye,
or neurological symptoms. Other symptoms develop if
the infection spreads beyond the lungs and sinuses.
•There is a high fatality rate.

6. •who have had a bone
marrow transplant or solid organ transplant
•on high doses of corticosteroids or
chemotherapy for cancers such as leukemia
•with advanced HIV infection.

7. Allergic aspergillosis
•Allergic aspergillosis is an allergic reaction to
the aspergillus fungus in the lungs and/or in
the sinuses.
•Lung symptoms include fever, wheezing, and
coughing. Patients may cough up blood
or mucous plugs.
•Sinus symptoms include facial pressure,
headache, blocked nose, yellow or
green discharge from the nose, and cough.
Allergic aspergillosis can affect anyone, but is more
common in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis.

8. Aspergilloma
•Aspergilloma is a “fungus ball” that develops in a
pre-existing lung cavity.
•It may cause no symptoms or the patient may
cough up blood (which can be profuse and life-
threatening).
•Aspergillomas can also develop in other organs.
Aspergilloma affects people with an underlying
cavity-causing lung disease, such as tuberculosis,
emphysema, or cystic fibrosis.

9. Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis
•Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is a rare
condition that causes tissue death within the lungs.
•This form of aspergillosis slowly progresses over weeks or
months.
•Symptoms often include fever, cough, night sweats, and
weight loss.
•Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis usually affects
people with mild immune impairment, such as underlying
lung disease, alcoholism, or who are on long-
term corticosteroid therapy.

10. •Around 5–10% of patients with invasive
aspergillosis develop skin lesions.
•Lesions include single or multiple red or violet
hardened plaques or papules. The lesions may be
tender or symptom-free. As the lesions
evolve, pus- or blood-filled blisters develop in the
center, which eventually
become necrotic blackened ulcers or scabs.
Lesions most commonly appear on the limbs and
head, and may affect a small or large area.

11. aspergillosis diagnosed
•Samples of sputum, blood, or affected tissue can
be cultured in the laboratory to grow aspergillus.
•The fungus may be visible under
a microscope in biopsies of affected tissue. Special
stains for fungus may be needed, but other fungi
may appear nearly identical .Chest x-ray or CT scan
of the lungs can reveal haracteristic abnormalities.
•A newer antigen-based test is available to detect
evidence of invasive aspergillosis in the blood.
However, the accuracy of this test appears to be
variable.

18. Potassium hydroxide of
culture
Aspergillus PAS stain
Aspergillus GMS stain

19. aspergillosis treatment
Voriconazole is currently used as first-line
treatment for invasive aspergillosis.
•Other drugs used to treat aspergillosis
include itraconazole, amphotericin B,
caspofungin, micafungin, and posaconazole.
•Prolonged treatment is usually required.
•When possible, immunosuppressive therapy,
such as systemic corticosteroids, should be
discontinued.
•Surgical removal of the infected lung cavity may
be required in the case of an aspergilloma.

20. •Avoid dusty environments, construction sites,
gardening, and lawn mowing
•Wear protective face masks when near dusty
environments
•Take preventative antifungal medication if
recommended by your physician.
•Use a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) in
hospital to prevent hospital-acquired lung infection in
patients with poor immunity.

21. Can aspergillosis be prevented?

24. Aspergillus is a fungus (mold) that is found in
abundance throughout the environment in soil,
decomposing plant matter, ornamental plants,
water, household dust, and building materials.
More than 100 different species of aspergillus have
been identified, but the species most commonly
implicated in human disease are A. fumigatus, A.
flavus, and A. niger.

25. Aspergillosis is more frequently diagnosed
when conditions producing impaired
immunity become more prevalent. For
example, invasive aspergillosis is
estimated to occur in
5–13% of recipients of bone marrow
transplants
In 5–25% of patients who have received
heart or lung transplants
in 10–20% of patients who are receiving
intensive chemotherapy for leukemia.