Aspergillus and the Lung
Iris Janssens, Bart N. Lambrecht, Eva Van Braeckel
Abstract
Abstract The filamentous fungus Aspergillus causes a wide spectrum of diseases in the human lung, with Aspergillus fumigatus being the most pathogenic and allergenic subspecies. The broad range of clinical syndromes that can develop from the presence of Aspergillus in the respiratory tract is determined by the interaction between host and pathogen. In this review, an oversight of the different clinical entities of pulmonary aspergillosis is given, categorized by their main pathophysiological mechanisms. The underlying immune processes are discussed, and the main clinical, radiological, biochemical, microbiological, and histopathological findings are summarized.
Topics & Concepts
AspergillusAspergillus fumigatusMedicineAspergillosisLungMicrobiologyFungusRespiratory tractPathogenImmune systemImmunologyPathologyBiologyRespiratory systemInternal medicineBotanyAntifungal resistance and susceptibilityInterstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisFungal Infections and Studies