aspergillosis

(as″pĕr-jil-ō′sĭs)

To hear audio pronunciation of this topic, purchase a subscription or log in.

[Aspergillus + -osis]
Infection caused by the Aspergillus fungus or one of its mold species, of which A. fumigatus is the most common. Colonizing aspergillosis involves growth of the fungus within the body, without tissue invasion. Invasive aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection that affects people with immunodeficiencies; the primary infection is usually pneumonia, but the brain, kidney, and heart valves may also be affected. The disease is diagnosed by fungal cultures (as from sputum or from samples obtain during bronchoscopy), by polymerase chain reaction blood tests, or by serum levels of aspergillosis antigen (galactomannan). It is treated with voriconazole, amphotericin B, or isavuconazole.

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.