Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis is a long-term fungal infection caused by members of the genus Aspergillus—most commonly Aspergillus fumigatus. The term describes several disease presentations with considerable overlap, ranging from an aspergilloma—a clump of Aspergillus mold in the lungs—through to a subacute, invasive form known as chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis which affects people whose immune system is weakened. Many people affected by chronic pulmonary aspergillosis have an underlying lung disease, most commonly tuberculosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, asthma, or lung cancer.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
An example of aspergilloma, one form of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, following tuberculosis.
SpecialtyInfectious disease
SymptomsWeight loss, cough, shortness of breath, haemoptysis, fatigue, malaise, chest pain, sputum production, fever
Risk factorsUnderlying respiratory disease, genetic defects
Diagnostic methodVia imaging (chest X-ray, high resolution CT scanning)
Differential diagnosisLung cancer, tuberculosis, other fungal infections
TreatmentAntifungal medications (oral or intravenous), surgery, glucocorticoids
PrognosisApproximately 20-40% mortality at 3 years; 50-80% at 7-10 years
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