Pulmonary aspergillosis - invasive type
Key points
- The invasive type of pulmonary aspergillosis is an acute fungal infection of the lungs that produces illness almost exclusively in immunosuppressed or immunodeficient people.
- Aspergillosis is caused by a fungus (aspergillus) that is commonly found in the environment.
- Listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation) occasionally reveals crackles or a pleural friction rub - a sound made by the inflamed lining of the lung rubbing against the lung.
- The objective of therapy is to reverse any correctable immunosuppression and to control the infection with antifungal medications.
Alternative names
Acute invasive aspergillosis; Aspergillosis - acute invasive
Definition
The invasive type of pulmonary aspergillosis is an acute fungal infection of the lungs that produces illness almost exclusively in immunosuppressed or immunodeficient people.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Aspergillosis is caused by a fungus (aspergillus) that is commonly found in the environment. It grows on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppings, compost piles, or other decaying vegetation.
It causes lung disease in three ways: as an allergic reaction in people with Asthma; as a fungus ball (aspergilloma) in an old healed lung cavity from previous disease such as Tuberculosis or lung abscess, and as an invasive infection with Pneumonia that may spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream (invasive aspergillosis). Only the invasive infection is called invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and is much more serious than the other types of aspergillosis. The invasive infection can affect any organ of the body, but especially the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. Late in the course of the disease, the nervous system, skin, and other organs may become affected.
Risk factors in addition to immunosuppression include a very low white blood cell count over a prolonged period. This is especially a problem in patients with prolonged neutropenia (low white blood cell counts) following Chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Cough (dry, or producing blood or phlegm)
- Shortness of breath
- Fever
- Joint pain
- Unintentional Weight loss
Signs and tests
Listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation) occasionally reveals crackles or a pleural friction rub - a sound made by the inflamed lining of the lung rubbing against the lung.
Tests may include:
- Open lung biopsy
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
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