Aspergillosis is a serious concern for immunosuppressed and debilitated patients. Specific guidelines for diagnosis and management exist. Aspergillus species are ubiquitous environmental fungi. Immunocompetent individuals with normal pulmonary defences are rarely susceptible to aspergillosis. Infection or exposure to aspergillus species presents with a wide ranging clinical spectrum, from asymptomatic colonisation and allergic symptoms to invasive fungal disease. Superficial infections Colonisation of Aspergillus spp.
leads to formation of fungal balls in the maxillary sinus and pre-existing pulmonary cavities. Pulmonary aspergilloma is commonly associated with tuberculosis and bullous emphysema. It is usually asymptomatic but vascular erosion of fungal ball may lead to fatal hemoptysis. Treatment is surgical removal of the fungal ball. In heathy individuals Aspergillus can also cause…
