ASPERGILLOSIS

a number of different disease states in human beings that are caused by the fungus Aspergillus, especially A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, and ranging from allergic reactions to invasive disease. The ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus is especially prevalent in the air. Inhalation of Aspergillus is common, and normal immune systems are generally able to fight infection, though an acute, self-limited pneumonitis may rarely occur in normal individuals, resolving itself spontaneously after some weeks. Aspergillosis is almost entirely limited to those whose immune system has been severely compromised, either by drug therapies or by diseasei.e., immunosuppressed patients and those with chronic respiratory disease. Characteristic symptoms include a chronic, productive cough and purulent sputum occasionally tinged with blood and flecks of white or brownish mycelium (fungus material). Diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic identification of colonies and characteristic septate hyphae and sporulating structures.