About-Aspergillosis is an infection, allergic reaction, or fungal growth caused by fungi of the Aspergillus genus. Aspergillus is a common type of mold found in the environment, including in soil, compost, stored grain, decaying vegetation, and household dust. Most people breathe in small amounts of Aspergillus spores every day without becoming ill. However, the fungus can cause disease in people with certain lung conditions, weakened immune systems, or a tendency to develop allergic reactions to the fungus. Aspergillosis can affect different parts of the body, but it most commonly affects the lungs and respiratory system. The severity of the disease can range from a mild allergic condition to a serious, potentially life-threatening infection.
ABPA occurs when the immune system has an exaggerated allergic response to Aspergillus in the airways. It is more common in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis.
Symptoms may include:
Wheezing
Cough
Coughing up brownish or bloody mucus
Shortness of breath
Worsening asthma symptoms
Fatigue
Fever in some cases
Repeated episodes can cause inflammation and damage to the airways if left untreated.
An aspergilloma, sometimes called a fungus ball, develops when Aspergillus grows inside an existing cavity in the lungs. These cavities may have resulted from previous lung diseases such as tuberculosis or other infections. Some people have no symptoms. Others may develop:
Persistent cough
Coughing up blood
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort
Fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Coughing up a significant amount of blood can be a medical emergency.
Invasive aspergillosis is the most serious form of the disease. It occurs when Aspergillus invades tissues, particularly the lungs, and may spread to other organs. It is most likely to occur in people with severely weakened immune systems, such as some people receiving chemotherapy, organ or stem-cell transplants, or treatment with certain immunosuppressive medicines. Symptoms may include:
Fever that does not improve with antibiotics
Chills
Cough
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Coughing up blood
Severe fatigue
Headache
Skin lesions
Symptoms involving other organs if the infection spreads
Invasive aspergillosis can become life-threatening and requires prompt medical treatment.
Aspergillosis is caused by exposure to Aspergillus, a group of common molds. Infection generally occurs when a person inhales Aspergillus spores from the environment. The following may contain Aspergillus spores:
Compost piles
Stored grain
Decaying vegetation
Soil
Leaves and plant material
Dust
Construction or renovation sites
Some indoor and outdoor environments
Marijuana or cannabis contaminated with Aspergillus
Simply being exposed to Aspergillus does not usually cause illness. Most healthy people can inhale the spores without developing aspergillosis.
Aspergillosis generally does not spread from person to person. People usually develop the condition after inhaling Aspergillus spores from the environment. The likelihood of developing disease depends on the person’s immune system, underlying health conditions, and the type and amount of exposure.
Diagnosing aspergillosis can be challenging because its symptoms may resemble those of other lung infections and respiratory conditions. A doctor may use one or more of the following tests:
The doctor may ask about symptoms, previous lung diseases, immune-system problems, medications, and possible exposure to mold.
Chest X-ray or CT Scan Imaging tests can identify abnormalities in the lungs, including lung cavities, fungal growths, inflammation, or other changes associated with aspergillosis.
Blood tests may be used to look for antibodies or other evidence of an immune response to Aspergillus. Certain blood tests can also detect substances associated with invasive fungal infections.
A biopsy may be necessary in selected cases to determine whether Aspergillus has invaded body tissues. The exact combination of tests depends on the suspected type of aspergillosis and the person’s overall health.
Antifungal medicines are commonly used to treat forms of aspergillosis involving active fungal infection. Medicines such as voriconazole, isavuconazole, itraconazole, or other antifungal drugs may be prescribed depending on the type of disease and individual circumstances. Treatment should be supervised by a qualified doctor because antifungal medicines can have side effects and may interact with other medications.
For allergic forms such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce excessive inflammation and the immune response. Additional antifungal treatment may be considered in some patients.
Managing underlying diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, COPD, or immune-system disorders is also important. People with invasive aspergillosis may require urgent hospital treatment and specialized antifungal therapy.
High or persistent fever, particularly if you have a weakened immune system
People with a weakened immune system should contact their doctor promptly if they develop persistent fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms suggestive of a serious infection.
It is not always possible to completely avoid exposure to Aspergillus because the fungus is widespread in the environment. However, people at high risk of serious infection may be advised to reduce exposure to areas containing large amounts of mold or dust. Preventive measures may include:
Avoiding areas with large amounts of dust or mold when possible
Avoiding exposure to compost piles and decaying vegetation if you are at high risk
Wearing an appropriate protective mask when exposure to dust or mold cannot be avoided
Keeping indoor areas clean and well ventilated
Avoiding visibly moldy materials
Following infection-prevention recommendations from your healthcare team if you have a severely weakened immune system
Taking prescribed preventive antifungal medicines when recommended by a specialist
It can be. Some forms are mild or primarily allergic, while invasive aspergillosis can be life-threatening, particularly in people with severely weakened immune systems.
Healthy people can be exposed to Aspergillus spores without becoming sick. Serious aspergillosis is much more common in people with certain lung conditions or weakened immune systems.
Yes. Aspergillosis is caused by fungi belonging to the Aspergillus group, which are commonly found in soil, dust, plants, compost, and decaying organic material.
Yes. The lungs are the most commonly affected organs. Aspergillosis can cause allergic airway disease, fungal growths in existing lung cavities, chronic lung infection, or invasive lung infection.
Yes. Some forms of pulmonary aspergillosis, particularly aspergilloma and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, can cause coughing up blood. Heavy or persistent bleeding requires urgent medical attention.
Some forms can be successfully treated, while others may require long-term monitoring and treatment. The outcome depends on the type of aspergillosis, how advanced it is, and the person’s underlying health.
Yes. Asthma is particularly associated with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), in which the immune system has an allergic response to Aspergillus in the airways.
Treatment depends on the type. Antifungal medicines are commonly used for fungal infections, while corticosteroids and other treatments may be used for allergic forms. Some aspergillomas may require surgery.
Complete prevention is difficult because Aspergillus spores are widespread. However, people at high risk can reduce exposure to mold, dust, compost, and decaying vegetation and should follow preventive advice provided by their healthcare team.
The information provided on MyMediland is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Symptoms of aspergillosis can resemble those of other respiratory infections and diseases, and only a qualified healthcare professional can make an accurate diagnosis. If you have persistent respiratory symptoms, cough up blood, have severe breathing difficulty, or have a weakened immune system, seek appropriate medical care promptly. Do not start, stop, or change any medication based solely on information provided on this website. Always consult a qualified doctor or other healthcare professional regarding your individual medical condition.
