Aspergillosis Health Dictionary

Aspergillosis: From 4 Different Sources


An infection caused by inhalation of spores of aspergillus, a fungus that grows in decaying vegetation.

Aspergillus is harmless to healthy people but may proliferate in the lungs of people with tuberculosis, worsen the symptoms of asthma, and produce serious, even fatal, infection in people with reduced immunity, such as those taking immunosuppressant drugs.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Infection caused by the opportunistic saprophytic fungus, Aspergillus. Can include the effects of aflatoxin which is formed by the fungi growing on mouldy foods such as peanuts and which can be associated with cancer of the liver.
Health Source: Dictionary of Tropical Medicine
Author: Health Dictionary
A disease caused by invasion of the lung by the fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus. The infection is acquired by inhalation of air-borne spores of the fungus, which settle and grow in damaged parts of the lung such as healed tuberculous cavities, abscesses, or the dilated bronchi of BRONCHIECTASIS.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. a group of conditions caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus, usually Aspergillus fumigatus. These conditions nearly always arise in patients with pre-existing lung disease and fall into three categories. The allergic form most commonly affects asthmatic patients and may cause collapse of segments or lobes of a lung. The colonizing form leads to formation of a fungus ball (aspergilloma), usually within a pre-existing cavity in the lung (such as an emphysematous *bulla or a healed tuberculous cavity). Similar fungus balls may be found in other cavities, such as the eye or the sinuses around the nose. The third form of aspergillosis, in which the fungus spreads throughout the lungs and may even disseminate throughout the body, is rare but potentially fatal. It is usually associated with deficiency in the patient’s immunity.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Mycosis

The general term applied to diseases due to the growth of fungi in the body. Among some of the simplest and commonest mycoses are RINGWORM, FAVUS, and thrush (CANDIDA). The MADURA FOOT of India, ACTINOMYCOSIS, and occasional cases of PNEUMONIA and suppurative ear disease are also due to the growth of moulds in the bodily tissues. Other forms of mycosis include ASPERGILLOSIS, candidiasis (see CANDIDA), CRYPTOCOCCOSIS and HISTOPLASMOSIS.... mycosis

Itraconazole

A triazole antifungal drug taken orally for oropharyngeal and vulvovaginal CANDIDA, PITYRIASIS versicolor, and tinea corporis and pedis (see under RINGWORM). It is also used for systemic fungal infections such as ASPERGILLOSIS, candidiasis and cryptococcosis where other fungicidal drugs have not worked. Itraconazole is metabolised in the liver so should not be given to patients who have or have had liver disease. The drug can be given as maintenance treatment of AIDS (see AIDS/HIV) patients to prevent resurgence of underlying fungal disease to which they are vulnerable. (See FUNGAL AND YEAST INFECTIONS.)... itraconazole

Miconazole

One of the IMIDAZOLES group of antifungals which includes clotrimazole and ketoconazole. Active against a wide range of fungi and yeasts, their main indications are vaginal candidiasis and dermatophyte skin infections. Miconazole is used as a cream or ointment; it may also be given orally (for oral or gastrointestinal infections), or parenterally (for systemic infections such as aspergillosis or candidiasis). (See MYCOSIS.)... miconazole

Polyenes

Antifungal agents that include AMPHOTERICIN (given by intravenous injection in the treatment of systemic ASPERGILLOSIS) and NYSTATIN, applied topically for fungus infection of the skin, mouth and other mucous membranes.... polyenes

Fungal Infections

Diseases that are caused by the multiplication and spread of fungi. Some fungi are harmlessly present all the time in areas of the body such as the mouth, skin, intestines, and vagina. However, they are prevented from multiplying by competition from bacteria. Other fungi are dealt with by the body’s immune system.

Fungal infections are therefore more common and serious in people taking long-term antibiotic drugs (which destroy the bacterial competition) and in those whose immune systems are suppressed by immunosuppressant drugs, corticosteroid drugs, or by a disorder such as AIDS. Such serious fungal infections are described as opportunistic infections. Some fungal infections are more common in people with diabetes mellitus.

Fungal infections can be classified into superficial (affecting skin, hair, nails, inside of the mouth, and genital organs); subcutaneous (beneath the skin); and deep (affecting internal organs).

The main superficial infections are tinea (including ringworm and athlete’s foot) and candidiasis (thrush), both of which are common. Subcutaneous infections, which are rare, include sporotrichosis and mycetoma. Deep infections are uncommon but can be serious and include aspergillosis, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and blastomycosis. The fungal spores enter the body by inhalation.

Treatment of fungal infections is with antifungal drugs, either used topically on the infected area or given by mouth for generalized infections.... fungal infections

Mould

Any of a large group of fungi that exist as many-celled, filamentous colonies. Some moulds are the source of antibiotic drugs. Others can cause diseases such as aspergillosis.... mould

Aspergillus

n. a genus of fungi, including many common moulds, some of which cause infections of the respiratory system in humans. The species A. fumigatus causes *aspergillosis. A. niger is commonly found in the external ear and can become pathogenic.... aspergillus



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