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Aspergillus, Mycetoma in Pulmonary Cavity
Aspergillus is a branching fungus that is widely distributed in the soil. It is frequently inhaled and often can be found in the respiratory tract. Propagation in nature is by spore formation. The organism is Eukaryotic and has a true nucleus. It has both Mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Unsurprisingly, Fungi are not very susceptible to many antibacterials and the similarity of the nuclear material to the human makes eradication from the infected patient more difficult. Aspergillus is usually not invasive unless the patient is immune compromised or particularly allergic. The fungus can grow in the cavities left by pulmonary fibrosis, old tuberculosis. It then forms a fungus ball, a mycetoma, with a typical crescent of air delineating its margin. In asthma the presence of aspergillus can stimulate a violent local allergic reaction and pulmonary eosinophilia with high levels of IgE.

Various anatomic expressions of pathology.

[View large image] in old Tuberculosis, apex left upper lobe. (case report) [View large image] in old Tuberculosis, cavity lateral in left upper lobe. (case report)
[View large image] in right lower lobe pneumatocoele or old TB? (case report) [View large image] in Ankylosing Spondylitis (case report)
[View large image] [View large image]
Aspergillosis in Asthma (case report)
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[London South Bank U.]

IDM June 2005