"Aspergillus fumigatus"--a pathogen and allergen. 1977

A W Frankland

Aspergillus fumigatus is being increasingly recognised as causing various pathological conditions in man, animals and birds. In man the use of antibiotics has increased the importance of fungi in various clinical situations as opportunistic infective agents. In man, cavities in the lung are often (20 per cent) colonised by Aspergillus species, nearly always A. fumigatus. The mycetoma so formed can be specifically diagnosed by finding precipitating antibodies to A. fumigatus in the serum. In an asthma clinic, the findings of an immediate positive prick skin test to A. fumigatus, with or without precipitating antibodies to the fungus, confirms the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis. These asthmatic patients develop transient lung infiltrations and proximal bronchiectasis, so that they eventually develop some degree of irreversible airways obstruction. Except for a small number of old patients, there are usually multiple positive type I skin responses to other inhalant allergens which will include other aspergilli species. Basically the complaint is a complication of allergic asthma. When first seen the patients often have treated with repeated courses of antibiotics for presumed infective asthma. Some of the findings in 86 asthmatic patients suffering from pulmonary aspergillosis will be presented.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D012141 Respiratory Tract Infections Invasion of the host RESPIRATORY SYSTEM by microorganisms, usually leading to pathological processes or diseases. Respiratory System Infections,Upper Respiratory Tract Infection,Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,Infections, Respiratory,Infections, Respiratory Tract,Infections, Upper Respiratory,Infections, Upper Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infections,Upper Respiratory Infections,Infection, Respiratory System,Infection, Respiratory Tract,Respiratory Infection, Upper,Respiratory System Infection,Respiratory Tract Infection
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000485 Allergens Antigen-type substances that produce immediate hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE). Allergen
D001228 Aspergillosis Infections with fungi of the genus ASPERGILLUS. Aspergillus Infection,Aspergilloses,Aspergillus Infections,Infection, Aspergillus,Infections, Aspergillus
D001232 Aspergillus fumigatus A species of imperfect fungi from which the antibiotic fumigatin is obtained. Its spores may cause respiratory infection in birds and mammals. Aspergillus fumigates,Neosartorya fumigata,Sartorya fumigata
D001249 Asthma A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL). Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D012882 Skin Tests Epicutaneous or intradermal application of a sensitizer for demonstration of either delayed or immediate hypersensitivity. Used in diagnosis of hypersensitivity or as a test for cellular immunity. Skin Test,Test, Skin,Tests, Skin

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