Aspergillosis: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
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| Aspergillosis |
What Is Aspergillosis?
Aspergillosis is an allergic reaction or opportunistic infection that typically affects the lower respiratory tract. Aspergillus, a common mold that can live both indoors and outdoors, is the fungus that causes the disease aspergillosis. The majority of people don't get sick from breathing in Aspergillus spores every day. However, Aspergillus is more likely to cause health issues in those with compromised immune systems or lung conditions. Aspergillosis comes in various forms. Aspergillosis can be mild or very serious in some cases. Remember that aspergillosis isn't contagious.
Types Of Aspergillosis
Invasive Aspergillosis
Serious infection is referred to as "Invasive Aspergillus." Aspergillosis is more likely to spread invasively in people who have weak immune systems, such as those who have received an organ or stem cell transplants. Invasive aspergillosis most frequently affects the lungs. However, it can spread to other parts of the body as well.
Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
In allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), aspergillus causes inflammation in the lungs and allergy symptoms. For example, coughing and wheezing without causing an infection.
Azole-Resistant Aspergillus Fumigatus
Azole-Resistant aspergillus fumigatus occurs when A. fumigatus, a species of Aspergillus, develops resistance to certain medications that are used to treat the condition. Treatment may not be effective for patients with resistant infections.
Aspergilloma
Aspergilloma, also known as a "fungus ball," occurs when a ball of Aspergillus grows in the lungs or sinuses but rarely spreads to other parts of the body.
Allergic Aspergillus Sinusitis
Allergic aspergillus sinusitis occurs when Aspergillus causes inflammation in the sinuses and the symptoms of sinus inflammation (drainage, stuffiness, and headache) but does not cause an infection.
Aspergillosis Of The Skin (Cutaneous Aspergillosis)
Cutaneous aspergillosis occurs when Aspergillus enters the body through a skin break, such as a burn wound or surgery, and causes infection, usually in people with weak immune systems.
Aspergillosis Pulmonary Recurrent
It occurs when an Aspergillus infection results in lung cavities and can last for three months or longer. The presence of one or more fungal balls (aspergillomas) is also reported in some patients.
What Causes Aspergillosis?
Aspergillus fumigatus, a type of mold, is the most common cause of aspergillosis. Dead leaves, vegetable matter that has decomposed, compost piles, marijuana leaves, grain that has been stored, and even foods and spices can often contain Aspergillus mold. The mold spores can grow on carpeting and can be carried indoors on shoes and clothing. Mold can grow in window air conditioners if the filters are not kept clean and the water doesn't drain properly. There is a possibility that the areas where buildings are being renovated or torn down contain mold spores.
What Are The Symptoms Of Aspergillosis?
The signs and symptoms of invasive aspergillosis may include:
- Fever
- Difficult breathing
- Kidney or liver failure
- Chills
- Shock
- A bloody cough
The most common symptoms of pulmonary aspergillosis are listed below,
- A cough that may produce blood or lumps of mucus
- Fever
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Weight loss
- Wheezing, or a whistling sound when breathing
- Chest pain
In aspergilloma, the most commonly reported symptoms are,
- Coughing up with or without blood
- Dyspnea or shortness of breath
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis has the following symptoms,
- Blood or mucus-accompanied coughing
- Worsening of asthma
- Wheezing
- Fever
- A feeling of being unwell
- Increased production of sputum or mucus
- Asthma caused by exercise
- Inability to tolerate exercise
A person suffering from cutaneous aspergillosis may have the following symptoms,
- High fever
- Swelling or inflammation
- A change in the surface character of the wound
- Tenderness, & induration
In allergic aspergillus sinusitis, the following symptoms appear,
- Trouble breathing
- Nasal blockage on one side of the nose
- Facial torment or strain on just a single side of the face
- Thick yellow/earthy colored nasal waste
- An irregular nasal release of green/brown "plug-like" sections
- More successive asthma intensifications with wheezing or chest snugness
- Cough
How To Diagnose Aspergillosis?
Aspergillus can be distinguished from other molds under a microscope, but it is common in all environments. It is very difficult to diagnose aspergilloma or invasive aspergillosis. Aspergillosis has symptoms that are similar to those of tuberculosis and other lung diseases. To determine what's causing your symptoms, your doctor will probably use one or more of the following tests:
Blood & Tissue Tests
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis can be confirmed through skin, sputum, and blood tests. A small amount of Aspergillus antigen is injected into your forearm's skin for the skin test. A hard, red bump will appear at the injection site if your blood contains mold antibodies. High levels of certain antibodies in the blood are a sign of an allergic reaction.
Test Of Respiratory Secretion, Or Sputum
In this test, aspergillus filaments are found by staining a sample of your sputum with a dye. To assist in confirming the diagnosis, the specimen is then placed in a culture that encourages the growth of the mold.
Biopsy
To confirm a diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, a sample of tissue taken from your lungs or sinuses may need to be examined under a microscope.
Imaging test ( X-Ray Or CT-Scan)
A fungal mass (aspergilloma) and characteristic symptoms of invasive aspergillosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis can typically be seen on a chest X-ray or computerized tomography (CT) scan, which produces more detailed images than conventional X-rays do.
How Is Aspergillosis Treated?
The treatment of aspergillosis depends upon the symptoms present. Controlling the symptoms is the goal of treatment. There is a possibility that aspergillosis could harm your lungs if it is not treated appropriately.
Antifungal Medications
All forms of aspergillosis can be treated with antifungal medication. Antifungal drugs are the most common treatment approach for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Voriconazole (Vfend), a more recent antifungal medication, is the most effective treatment. Amphotericin B is another choice.
The invasive form of aspergillosis can be treated with drugs like voriconazole, which can be given orally or intravenously. Prednisone, an immunosuppressant, and antifungal medications may be prescribed to you if you have allergic aspergillosis.
Aspergillomas rarely necessitate treatment, and medications rarely work to treat these fungal masses. Instead, chest X-rays may be used to closely monitor aspergillomas that do not cause symptoms. Antifungal medications may be suggested if the condition worsens.
Any antifungal medication can cause serious side effects, including damage to the kidneys and liver. It is also common for antifungal medications to interact with other medications.
Corticosteroid
The treatment of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis aims to prevent the progression of asthma or cystic fibrosis. Taking corticosteroids orally is the most effective approach. Antifungal prescriptions aren't useful for allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, however, they might be joined with corticosteroids to diminish the dose of steroids and further develop lung function.
Surgery
If the fungus infects your heart valves or causes bleeding in your lungs, then surgery is recommended to remove the infected parts or fungal mass.
There is a procedure named Embolization that can stop lung bleeding in aspergilloma. Material is injected by a radiologist using a catheter that has been inserted into an artery that feeds the lung cavity. The injected substance hardens, preventing the area's blood supply and stopping the bleeding. This treatment works for a while, but the bleeding will probably come back.
How To Prevent Aspergillosis?
Avoiding exposure to Aspergillus mold is extremely challenging given the environment's prevalence. It is best to stay away from places with a lot of mold or dust, like compost piles or construction sites. Gardening and lawn mowing should be avoided by people who have weak immune systems or allergies to mold.