Aspergillosis is a disease caused by Aspergillus, a common mold (a type of fungus) that lives indoors and outdoors. Most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick. However, people with weakened immune systems or
lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing
health problems due to Aspergillus. There are different types of aspergillosis. Some types are mild, but some of them are very serious.
Aspergillosis occurs in chronic or acute forms which are clinically very distinct. Most cases of acute
aspergillosis occur in people with severely compromised immune systems, e.g. those undergoing
bone marrow transplantation. Chronic colonization or
infection can cause complications in people with underlying respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, sarcoidosis,tuberculosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most commonly,
aspergillosis occurs in the form of chronic pulmonary
aspergillosis (CPA), aspergilloma, or allergic bronchopulmonary
aspergillosis (ABPA).Some forms are intertwined; for example ABPA and simple aspergilloma can progress to CPA.
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