Aspergillus is a genus of around 200 molds found throughout the nature worldwide. where they commonly grow as molds on the surface of a substrate, as a result of the high oxygen tension. Species of Aspergillus are important medically. Some species can cause infection in humans and animals (Aspergillosis of the air passages is also frequently found in birds)

The most common causing invasive disease are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin which is both a toxin and a carcinogen, and which can potentially contaminate foods such as nuts. The most common causing allergic disease are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus clavatus

Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. Aspergillosis is a transmission, increase, or hypersensitive reaction caused by the Aspergillus fungus. Which causes inflammation of the airways and atmosphere sacs of the lungs? The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus flourishes in land, decaying flora, foods, dusts, and water. Aspergillosis can get really competitive and quickly scatter throughout the lungs and frequently through the bloodstream to the mind and kidneys.

People inhale the fungus may get sensitized and produce a chronic hypersensitive response. It normally occurs as a complication of new chronic lung disease,

In humans, forms of disease are:

1. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA): affects patients with symptoms that produce significant respiratory morbidity such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and sinusitis).

2. Acute invasive aspergillosis: risk increases if patient has weakened immunity such as some AIDS patients and those undergoing chemotherapy.

3. Disseminated invasive aspergillosis: aspergilloma are found in the air we breathe, lung may have been caused by a previous infection, such as histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, lung abscess, or by cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis, or lung cancer.

4. Severe asthma with fungal sensitisation (SAFS): Patients with SAFS have asthma, runny nose, sneezing and hayfever symptoms.

Diagnostics of Aspergillus

Diagnosis can be made by using biopsy, culture and microscopy of tissue samples. Chest CT scans and detection of aspergillus antigens in body fluids.

Treatment of Aspergillus

1. Treatment of Acute Invasion Aspergillosis: antifungal drugs such as voriconazole, caspofungin, itraconazole, posaconazole, or amphotericin B. Voriconazole is usually more effective than amphotericin B.

2. Treatment of ABPA: high-dose steroids are a normal method to manage shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and pulmonary infiltrates. Itraconazole (an antifungal drug) has been shown great benefit when used in conjunction with steroids.

3. Treatment of Disseminated invasive aspergillosis: There is no treatment require for this, but if patient cough up blood, Surgery is another option to remove the aspergilloma or to control bleeding, or angiography Angiography (injection of dye into the blood vessels) and embolisation.

4. Treatment of SAFS: oral corticosteroids, Antifungal therapy with itraconazole (200mg orally, twice daily), Fluconazole may be beneficial in those sensitised to Trichophyton spp.