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Aspergillosis

Updated : July 15, 2022





Background

Aspergillus is a worldwide fungus that primarily infects immunocompromised hosts and patients with underlying lung illnesses. Multiple species of Aspergillus are known to cause infection.

There are three principal forms of bronchopulmonary

Aspergillus infections: allergic aspergillosis, chronic aspergillosis, an invasive aspergillosis.

In immunocompromised hosts, an aspergillosis infection may present as sinusitis. In immunocompromised hosts, an aspergillosis infection may present as sinusitis. Without treatment, the mortality rate for invasive aspergillosis can be as much as 100%.

In situations of suspected invasive aspergillosis, a thorough diagnostic evaluation is required, but treatment should be commenced as soon as possible to prevent mortality, or comorbidities.

Epidemiology

Despite the prevalence of Aspergillus species, invasive aspergillosis is more prevalent among the immunocompromised population, which includes AIDS patients, individuals who have undergone transplants, people on anti-rejection medication, neutropenic patients, and individuals who have used corticosteroids for a long period.

Aspergillosis can occur in 10%-20% of people undergoing bone marrow transplants. Patients in the ICU  with a preexisting respiratory condition such as COPD or asthma may also develop invasive aspergillosis. In the past 13 years, the occurrence of invasive aspergillosis has quadrupled.

Patients with lung disorders such as tuberculosis, obstructive lung disease, lung cancer, sarcoidosis, and ashtma have an increased risk of developing chronic aspergillosis. Nearly all cases of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis occur in persons with cystic fibrosis and asthma.

Due to their persistent exposure to Aspergillus, those employed in the agriculture and construction industries may be at a greater risk of infection. As marijuana can be contaminated with this fungus, marijuana smokers are also at risk.

Anatomy

Pathophysiology

In immunocompetent individuals, aspergillum conidia are inhaled, and in the lungs, they are ingested by phagocytes. At body temperature these conidia develop into hyphae.

In immunocompetent hosts neutrophils are activated because phagocytes secrete mediators like beta-D-glucan. The invasive hyphae is terminated by the neutrophils and the infection is not allowed to spread further.

Immunocompromised patients likely have an impairment at at least on these mechanisms, so infection spreads throughout the body.

Etiology

The respiratory tract is the most common route of infection. However, Aspergillus can infect other tissues, including the CNS, skin, nails, eyes, sinuses, or become distributed through the entire body.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent species of Aspergillus to infect humans. Aspergillus flavus is the most likely causative agent when there is sinus involvement.

There are times when it is impossible to identify the precise species, so the organism will be referred to as an Aspergillus species.

Genetics

Prognostic Factors

Patients with minor function abnormalities have a favourable prognosis for Allergic bronchopulmonary pulmonary aspergillosis. However, in cases where there is a delayed diagnosis, individuals may need steroids for a prolonged timeframe.

Patients with invasive aspergillosis have a bad prognosis. Even with comprehensive antifungal treatment, fatality rates remain high. Immunocompromised patients have the greatest mortality rate on average.

Even among individuals who receive treatment, the recurrence rate is typically significant. If  the infection reaches the CNS, fatality is certain. The significant mortality rate among patients who have contracted aspergillosis has been attributed to antifungal drug resistance.

Clinical History

Physical Examination

Age group

Associated comorbidity

Associated activity

Acuity of presentation

Differential Diagnoses

Laboratory Studies

Imaging Studies

Procedures

Histologic Findings

Staging

Treatment Paradigm

by Stage

by Modality

Chemotherapy

Radiation Therapy

Surgical Interventions

Hormone Therapy

Immunotherapy

Hyperthermia

Photodynamic Therapy

Stem Cell Transplant

Targeted Therapy

Palliative Care

Medication

 

caspofungin 

Indicated for Invasive Aspergillosis :


Day-1 initial dose: Infusion of 70 mg intravenously over one hour (as a single dose)

Maintenance: 50 mg Intravenous infused every one hour, every day



isavuconazonium sulfate 

Initial dose: take a dose of 372 mg orally or intravenously every 8 hours up to 6 doses for two days
Maintenance dose: take a dose of 372 mg orally or intravenously daily



isavuconazonium sulfate 

Invasive:

Initial dose: 372 mg orally/Intravenous every 8 hours for 6 doses (48 hours)
Maintenance dose: 372 mg orally/Intravenous daily



 
 

Media Gallary

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482241/

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Aspergillosis

Updated : July 15, 2022




Aspergillus is a worldwide fungus that primarily infects immunocompromised hosts and patients with underlying lung illnesses. Multiple species of Aspergillus are known to cause infection.

There are three principal forms of bronchopulmonary

Aspergillus infections: allergic aspergillosis, chronic aspergillosis, an invasive aspergillosis.

In immunocompromised hosts, an aspergillosis infection may present as sinusitis. In immunocompromised hosts, an aspergillosis infection may present as sinusitis. Without treatment, the mortality rate for invasive aspergillosis can be as much as 100%.

In situations of suspected invasive aspergillosis, a thorough diagnostic evaluation is required, but treatment should be commenced as soon as possible to prevent mortality, or comorbidities.

Despite the prevalence of Aspergillus species, invasive aspergillosis is more prevalent among the immunocompromised population, which includes AIDS patients, individuals who have undergone transplants, people on anti-rejection medication, neutropenic patients, and individuals who have used corticosteroids for a long period.

Aspergillosis can occur in 10%-20% of people undergoing bone marrow transplants. Patients in the ICU  with a preexisting respiratory condition such as COPD or asthma may also develop invasive aspergillosis. In the past 13 years, the occurrence of invasive aspergillosis has quadrupled.

Patients with lung disorders such as tuberculosis, obstructive lung disease, lung cancer, sarcoidosis, and ashtma have an increased risk of developing chronic aspergillosis. Nearly all cases of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis occur in persons with cystic fibrosis and asthma.

Due to their persistent exposure to Aspergillus, those employed in the agriculture and construction industries may be at a greater risk of infection. As marijuana can be contaminated with this fungus, marijuana smokers are also at risk.

In immunocompetent individuals, aspergillum conidia are inhaled, and in the lungs, they are ingested by phagocytes. At body temperature these conidia develop into hyphae.

In immunocompetent hosts neutrophils are activated because phagocytes secrete mediators like beta-D-glucan. The invasive hyphae is terminated by the neutrophils and the infection is not allowed to spread further.

Immunocompromised patients likely have an impairment at at least on these mechanisms, so infection spreads throughout the body.

The respiratory tract is the most common route of infection. However, Aspergillus can infect other tissues, including the CNS, skin, nails, eyes, sinuses, or become distributed through the entire body.

Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent species of Aspergillus to infect humans. Aspergillus flavus is the most likely causative agent when there is sinus involvement.

There are times when it is impossible to identify the precise species, so the organism will be referred to as an Aspergillus species.

Patients with minor function abnormalities have a favourable prognosis for Allergic bronchopulmonary pulmonary aspergillosis. However, in cases where there is a delayed diagnosis, individuals may need steroids for a prolonged timeframe.

Patients with invasive aspergillosis have a bad prognosis. Even with comprehensive antifungal treatment, fatality rates remain high. Immunocompromised patients have the greatest mortality rate on average.

Even among individuals who receive treatment, the recurrence rate is typically significant. If  the infection reaches the CNS, fatality is certain. The significant mortality rate among patients who have contracted aspergillosis has been attributed to antifungal drug resistance.

caspofungin 

Indicated for Invasive Aspergillosis :


Day-1 initial dose: Infusion of 70 mg intravenously over one hour (as a single dose)

Maintenance: 50 mg Intravenous infused every one hour, every day



isavuconazonium sulfate 

Initial dose: take a dose of 372 mg orally or intravenously every 8 hours up to 6 doses for two days
Maintenance dose: take a dose of 372 mg orally or intravenously daily



isavuconazonium sulfate 

Invasive:

Initial dose: 372 mg orally/Intravenous every 8 hours for 6 doses (48 hours)
Maintenance dose: 372 mg orally/Intravenous daily



https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482241/

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