aspergillosis

aspergillosis
/as'peuhr jeuh loh"sis/, n., pl. aspergilloses /-seez/.
an infection or disease caused by a mold of the genus Aspergillus, characterized by granulomatous lesions of the lungs, skin, etc.
[1895-1900; < F aspergillose; see ASPERGILLUS, -OSIS]

* * *

      a number of different disease states in human beings that are caused by fungi (fungus) of the genus Aspergillus, especially A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, and that produce a variety of effects on humans, ranging from no illness to allergic reactions to mild pneumonia to overwhelming generalized infection. The ubiquitous fungus Aspergillus is especially prevalent in the air. Inhalation of Aspergillus is common, but the fungus can also be introduced into the body through a cut or a surgical wound.

      Characteristic symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, seen especially in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases, include a chronic, productive cough and purulent sputum occasionally tinged with blood and flecks of white or brownish mycelium (fungus material). Severe invasive aspergillosis is almost entirely limited to those whose immune systems (immune system) have been severely compromised, either by drug therapies or by disease—i.e., immunosuppressed patients. People with leukemia or other cancers (cancer) are unable to contain the organism in the lungs and may develop widespread disease involving the liver, kidneys, skin, and brain. Diagnosis is confirmed by microscopic identification of colonies and characteristic septate hyphae and sporulating structures. However, cultures of the fungus are usually not positive and sometimes can be made only by taking a tissue biopsy. Specific antifungal agents are available, but the invasive disease is rapidly fatal.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Aspergillosis — Classification and external resources Histopathologic image of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis in a patient with interstitial pneumonia. Autopsy material. Grocott s methenamine silver stain …   Wikipedia

  • aspergillosis — [as΄pər ji lō′sis] n. pl. aspergilloses [as΄pər ji lō′sēz΄] an infection caused by a fungus (genus Aspergillus), characterized by small, inflamed lesions of the skin, respiratory tract, bones, etc …   English World dictionary

  • Aspergillosis — Infection with the fungus Aspergillus, seen especially in people with a deficient immune system. The clinical features of aspergillosis can include invasive lung infection and disseminated disease, usually with fever, cough, spitting up blood,… …   Medical dictionary

  • aspergillosis — n. a group of conditions caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus, usually Aspergillus fumigatus. These conditions nearly always arise in patients with pre existing lung disease and fall into three categories. The allergic form most commonly… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • aspergillosis — noun (plural aspergilloses) Date: 1898 infection with or disease caused (as in poultry) by aspergillus molds …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • aspergillosis — (as per jil o sis) A fungal disease caused by species of Aspergillus …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • aspergillosis — Lung disease caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • aspergillosis — noun Any of various infections by fungi of the genus Aspergillus that cause granulomatous lesions …   Wiktionary

  • aspergillosis — n. animal disease caused by a mold fungus from the Aspergillus family …   English contemporary dictionary

  • aspergillosis — [ˌaspədʒɪ ləʊsɪs] noun Medicine a condition in which certain fungi infect the lungs or other tissues, especially through inhalation of spores from mouldy hay. Origin C19: from mod. L. Aspergillus (genus name of the fungi), from aspergillum + osis …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”