Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is an opportunistic, sometimes life-threatening infection caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus, usually A. fumigatus, A. flavus, or A. niger. It occurs in four major forms:
aspergilloma, which produces a fungus ball in the lungs (called a mycetoma)
allergic aspergillosis, a hypersensitive asthmatic reaction to Aspergillus antigens
aspergillosis endophthalmitis, an infection of the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye that can lead to blindness
disseminated aspergillosis, an acute infection that produces septicemia, thrombosis, and infarction of virtually any organ but especially the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys.
Aspergillus may cause infection of the ear (otomycosis), cornea (mycotic keratitis), or prosthetic heart valve (endocarditis); pneumonia (especially in those receiving an immunosuppressant, such as an antineoplastic drug or high-dose steroid therapy); sinusitis; and brain abscesses.
The prognosis varies with each form. Occasionally, aspergilloma causes fatal hemoptysis.
Causes
Aspergillus is found worldwide, commonly in fermenting compost piles and damp hay. It’s transmitted by inhalation of fungal spores or, in aspergillosis endophthalmitis, by the invasion of spores through a wound or other tissue injury.
