Aspergillosis - Symptoms & Treatment

Aspergillosis is an infection, caused by the Aspergillus fungus. Aspergillus is very common and is frequently found in compost heaps, air vents, and airborne dust. Aspergella, as well as other fungi, grows readily in damp, dark conditions with poor ventilation. Aspergillus may cause a broad spectrum of disease in the human host, ranging from hypersensitivity reactions to direct angioinvasion. Aspergillus primarily affects the lungs, causing 4 main syndromes, including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), chronic necrotizing Aspergillus pneumonia, aspergilloma, and invasive aspergillosis. Compromised immune systems often allow Aspergillus to colonize. In healthy individuals, it rarely causes problems. But aspergillus may affect people with asthma or weakened immune systems. Aspergillosis is somewhat rare with HIV. It is more common in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and in transplant patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. The disease is contracted as the result of inhalation of spores. It may also be contracted by oral ingestion, especially if birds are fed moldy seed.

Aspergillosis can be fatal, especially to those with immunodeficiency. In the sinuses and lungs, aspergillosis shows up as a ball (aspergilloma) composed of a tangled mass of fungus fibers, blood clots, and white blood cells. Symptoms depend on the actual type of infection. Two forms of Aspergillosis are commonly seen in Amazons. The first is an acute generalized form characterized by the fungus in the lower respiratory tree as well as in the intestinal tract and other organs. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common pathogen associated with disseminated disease, whereas Aspergillus flavus or Aspergillus terreus most often cause the less frequent primary infections of the skin. Aspergillosis has been the culprit in several recent rapid die-offs among waterfowl. Most people are either naturally immune to the spores of Aspergillus Fumigatus, or have a sufficiently healthy immune system to fight the infection. In birds, aspergillosis is primarily a disease of the lower respiratory tract. Although the lungs and air sacs are usually involved, the trachea, syrinx, and bronchi may be affected as well.

Causes of Aspergillosis

The common causes and risk factor's of Aspergillosis include the following:

• A fungus ( Aspergillus ), which is commonly found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation.
• Underlying pulmonary disease.
• Altered immune status due to chronic corticosteroid therapy, alcoholism, collagen vascular disease, or chronic granulomatous disease.
• It occurs almost exclusively in patients who are immunocompromised.
• Neutropenia and corticosteroid therapy are major risk factors.
• An allergic reaction (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, or ABPA) in people with asthma.

Symptoms of Aspergillosis

Some symptoms related to Aspergillosis are as follows:

• Fever
• Coughing up blood or brownish mucous plugs.
• Chills and shock.
• Wheezing..
• Worsening of asthma.
• Chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Blood in the urine.
• Facial or bone pain.
• Meningitis.
• Vision problems.

Treatment of Aspergillosis

Here is list of the methods for treating Aspergillosis:

• Aspergillosis is treated with several weeks of amphotericin B, an antifungal medication given by an IV.
• Itraconazole or voriconazole can also be used.
• Aspergillosis is also treated with oral prednisone.
• Endocarditis caused by Aspergillus is treated by surgical removal of the infected heart valves and long-term amphotericin B therapy.
• Some people may benefit from allergy desensitization.
• It may be beneficial to add oral itraconazole to steroids in patients with recurrent or chronic ABPA.

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