aspergillosis

 Aspergillosis

Causative fungus; Aspergillus fumigatus is main opportunistic pathogen.

Infection caused by type of mold (fungus).

Sources and Modes of Transmission

Fungal spores are major source of infection.

Infection transmitted by inhalation of contaminated dust.

Fungal spores which are present on decaying matter, soil or air affect respiratory systems.

Pathogenesis

It can produce disease in immunosuppressed individuals and patient treated with broad- spectrum antibiotics.

It grows only filamentous moulds producing large amount of canidiospores, which resides in dust, soil, decomposing organic matter.

Symptoms

Respiratory disease

Aspergillus asthma

Bronchopulmonary aspergillus

Aspergilloma; clump of mold exist in paranasal sinus or organ; lungs

Invasive aspergillosis; fungal colonize lung and infection spread to brain, gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

Most common site of infection; eye, ear, nasal sinuses, skin (primary site).

Laboratory Diagnosis

Specimen collection

Exudate Sputum and lung biopsy.

KOH preparation

Shows filamentous hyphae 

Culture on SDA

Incubated at 25 degree Celsius for 1-4 week, grey green colour colonies and hyphae.

PCR test

Quite useful for diagnosis of aspergillus.

Treatment

Amphotericin B used and fungal ball may removed surgically.