Aspergillosis Summary Aspergillosis is a disease caused by a fungus (or mold) called Aspergillus. The fungus is very common in both indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in the spores of the fungus every day without being affected. But some people get the disease. It usually occurs in people with lung diseases or weakened immune systems. There are different kinds of aspergillosis. One kind is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (also called ABPA). Symptoms of ABPA include wheezing and coughing. ABPA can affect healthy people but it is most common in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Another kind is invasive aspergillosis, which damages tissues in the body. It usually affects the lungs. Sometimes it can also cause infection in other organs and spread throughout the body. It affects people who have immune system problems, such as people who have had a transplant, are taking high doses of steroids, or getting chemotherapy for some cancers. Your doctor might do a variety of tests to make the diagnosis, including a chest x-ray, CT scan of the lungs, and an examination of tissues for signs of the fungus. Treatment is with antifungal drugs. If you have ABPA, you may also take steroids. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Related Issues Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Specifics Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Start Here Aspergillosis American Thoracic Society Aspergillosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Children Aspergillosis American Academy of Pediatrics Array Aspergillosis Aspergillosis precipitin Pulmonary aspergilloma Find an Expert Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Aspergillosis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Tests Fungal Tests American Association for Clinical Chemistry Journal Articles Aspergillosis Prevention and Risk Factors Risk and Prevention of Aspergillosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Symptoms Symptoms of Aspergillosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Treatments and Therapies Treatment and Outcomes of Aspergillosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
