Aspergillosis is an infectious disease caused by mold of the ‘aspergillus’ type and causes problems in the respiratory system. This mold can be found anywhere and especially attacks people with weak immune systems. It is not contagious between people.
The effects of this disease are varied and range from having a mild allergic reaction to serious lung infections. When the infection moves to the blood vessels it causes a new form of the disease called invasive aspergillosis.
Causes of aspergillosis
Aspergillus mold
Aspergillus mold is the cause of the infection and is found in many places, especially in plants, forests and places where dead leaves accumulate. Therefore, everyone is exposed, but it does not usually affect the majority of the population because their immune system is in good condition. In patients with a weak immune system due to various causes (such as being treated for another disease such as cancer), the cells are unable to react to the infection and aspergillus reaches the lungs.
In the most serious cases, it can cause bleeding in the lungs and even affect other sensitive parts of the body such as the brain or heart. In these cases it can be fatal.
Types of aspergillosis:
– Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. It affects patients with asthma.
– Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. It is usually caused by an aspergilloma, a fungal ball formed by hyphae, fibrin, mucus and cellular debris that nest in a lung cavity.
– Invasive aspergillosis. Computed tomography usually shows one or multiple nodules and lung lesions. Invasive aspergillosis can be tracheobronchitis, which can occur in patients with lung transplants, COPD or in patients with AIDS. It can also be aspergillosis of the central nervous system; cutaneous; or intestinal.
The following are risk factors for exposure to ‘aspergillus’ mold:
– Have a weakened immune system; for example, due to medication after a transplant.
– Have asthma or cystic fibrosis.
– Low level of neutrophils (neutropenia).
– Have lung cavities.
– Follow long-term corticosteroid treatment.
Symptoms of aspergillosis
Variety of symptoms depending on severity
The symptoms of aspergillosis are different depending on the level of severity and the characteristics of each case. It is normal for it to cause allergic reactions in people who have asthma and in that case the disease is called bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and presents signs such as fever and continuous cough.
The most serious type of aspergillosis is invasive aspergillosis, in which the infection spreads throughout the body and affects key organs such as the brain, kidneys or heart. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis affects patients with weak immune systems due to undergoing chemotherapy treatments to fight cancer, having undergone a bone marrow transplant, or being affected by an immune system disease. It is essential to carry out treatment in this case because this type of aspergillosis can be fatal. There are some clear symptoms:
– Cough. It can be bloody.
– Fever and chills.
– Constant headache.
– Ocular endophthalmitis (inflammatory infection). It’s very serious.
– Breathing problems.
– Abdominal pain and/or intestinal bleeding.
Diagnosis of aspergillosis
Multitude of tests for a difficult diagnosis
The doctor has to resort to various tests and analyzes because observing the symptoms is not enough, as it can lead to confusion with other types of similar diseases.
Diagnostic imaging tests. A chest x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan helps identify the presence of aspergillus mold. Analysis of blood and various tissues. These analyzes are necessary to confirm the disease.
Aspergillosis treatment and medication
Arsenal of possibilities to cure the infection
The doctor chooses the treatment after identifying the level of severity of the disease. In some mild cases it is not necessary to do anything because the infection disappears. It is normal to give the patient antifungal medications and corticosteroids. If the infection has worsened and there is pulmonary hemorrhage, surgical intervention may be required.
Prevention of aspergillosis
Stay away from moldy places
It is very difficult to prevent this disease, but it is advisable to stay away from places where there is mold, especially if you have a weak immune system.
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