Pulmonary aspergillosis

Aspergillus species are ubiquitous in the environment and are inevitably in haled into the airways. Inhalation of Aspergillus conidia or mycelium fragm ents may result in colonisation of the airways. In susceptible hosts coloni sation may subsequently cause disease. Patients with pre-existent cavities may develop aspergillomas which may be quiescent or cause symptoms especial ly recurrent haemoptysis. Acute invasive disease is potentially lethal in p atients who are vulnerable to infection due to underlying lung diseases or immunosuppression. In addition to its ability to colonise the human respira tory tract. Aspergillus has a significant potential to act as a powerful al lergen resulting in Aspergillus asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary asperg illosis. The various presentations of pulmonary disease caused by Aspergill us are reviewed here, focusing primarily on clinical aspects rather than ba sic science. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science BY. Ali rights reserved.