infectious diseases
Aspergillosis
Introduction
Aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection that usually affects the lower respiratory tract and is caused by inhaling spores of the filamentous fungusAspergillus, commonly present in the environment. The spores germinate and develop into hyphae, which enter blood vessels and, with invasive disease, cause hemorrhagic necrosis and infarction. Symptoms may be those of asthma, pneumonia, sinusitis, or rapidly progressing systemic illness. Diagnosis is based on imaging, histopathology, and specimen staining and culture. Treatment is withvoriconazole,posaconazole, orisavuconazonium. A lipid formulation ofamphotericin Bis an alternative treatment. Fungus balls may require surgical resection. (See also Overview of Fungal Infections .) 