Aspergillus Lung Disease Flashcards
What is the life-cycle of aspergillus?
spores inhaled–germination–hyphal elongation and branching–mass of hyphae (plateau phase)–spores inhaled etc
How many species of aspergillus are there?
around 180
What are the main species of aspergillus associated with acute invasive disease?
a. fumigatus; a.flavus; a.niger and a.nidulans
Where are aspergillus spores found?
very common in the environment- widespread and readily inhaled
What are the aspergillus lung diseases mediated by fungus digestive proteolytic enzymes?
invasive aspergillosis; semi-invasive aspergillosis
What are the aspergillus lung diseases mediated by host defense?
atopic allergy; asthma and positive IgG precipitins to aspergillus; ABPA; aspergilloma
What is different about aspergilloma compared to the other spectrums of disease?
exploits an exisiting weakness as grows within a cavity of the lung previously damaged, then secretes toxic and allergic products
What proportion of asthmatics are skin prick positive to aspergillus species?
10%
What are precipitins?
ability for complexes that precipitate to be formed between antigens and antibodies
How has asthma been linked to aspergillus?
high spore coutns correlate with asthma attacks ; mouldy housing associated with worse asthma
What is ABPA?
inflammatory response to aspergillus in the airways which causes damage to bronchial walls-bronchiectasis
Who gets ABPA?
asthmatics and CF pts
What are the clinical features of ABPA?
long standing asthma; recurrent episodes of mucus plugging and expectoration; fever/malaise; poorly controlled asthma that needs repeated oral steroid courses; eosinophilia
What are teh features on CXR of ABPA?
flitting infiltrates; bronchiectasis; mucous impaction(gloved finger shadows)
What are the features of ABPA on CT?
central bronchiectasis with upper lobe predominance
What is the treatment for ABPA?
oral steroids and oral antifungals (itraconazole)
What are hte risk factors for invasive aspergillosis?
chemotherapy; bone marrow supression; advanced HIV; immune suppression; anti-TNF
What happens in invasive aspergillosis?
aspergillus hyphae invade the tissue
What are the clinical features of invasive aspergillosis?
fever; chest pain; cough; haemoptysis; dyspnoea; pulmonary infiltrates in a neutropenic patietns failing to respond to broad spec abx
Where can invasive aspergillosis spread?
sinuses and brain; endocarditis; eyes; skin
What is galactomannan?
exoantigen of aspergillus
How many sputum specimens should be submitted for fungal culture when fungal infection is suspected?
at least 3
What is the rate of IPA in actue leukaemia patients and allogenic BMT patients?
7% and 10-15% respectively
What is the classic lesion in IPA?
wedge-lesion peripherally set against the pleura
What is characteristic sign of IPA on CT?
halo sign
What is the mx of invasive aspergillosis?
IV amphotericin B ; IV itraconazole
What is semi-invasive aspergillosis?
low grade chronic invasion of aspergillus into the airway walls and surroudning lung
Who gets semi-invasive aspergillosis?
mild immunodeficiency- DM; steroid therapy; chronic lung disease; poor nutrition