Learn About Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is an infection or allergic response due to the aspergillus fungus.
Aspergillus infection
Aspergillosis is caused by a fungus called aspergillus. The fungus is often found growing on dead leaves, stored grain, compost piles, or in other decaying vegetation. It can also be found on marijuana leaves.
Although most people are often exposed to aspergillus, infections caused by the fungus rarely occur in people who have a healthy immune system.
There are several forms of aspergillosis:
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is an allergic reaction to the fungus. This infection usually develops in people who already have lung problems such as asthma or cystic fibrosis.
- Aspergilloma is a growth (fungus ball) that develops in an area of past lung disease or lung scarring such as tuberculosis or lung abscess.
- Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious infection with pneumonia. It can spread to other parts of the body. This infection occurs most often in people with a weakened immune system. This can be from cancer, AIDS, leukemia, an organ transplant (especially lung), chemotherapy, or other conditions or medicines that lower the number or function of white blood cells or weaken the immune system.
Symptoms depend on the type of infection.
Symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis may include:
- Cough
- Coughing up blood or brownish mucus plugs
- Fever
- General ill feeling (malaise)
- Wheezing
- Weight loss
Other symptoms depend on the part of the body affected, and may include:
- Bone pain
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Decreased urine output
- Headaches
- Increased phlegm production, which may be bloody
- Shortness of breath
- Skin sores (lesions)
- Vision problems
A fungus ball is usually not treated with antifungal medicines unless there is bleeding into the lung tissue. In such a case, surgery and medicines are needed.
Invasive aspergillosis is treated with several weeks of an antifungal medicine. It can be given by mouth or IV (into a vein). Endocarditis caused by aspergillus is treated by surgically replacing the infected heart valves. Long-term antifungal medicines are also needed.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is treated with medicines that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressive medicines), such as prednisone, typically in conjunction with antifungal medicines.
Oliver Cornely practices in Koeln, Germany. Mr. Cornely is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Aspergillosis. His top areas of expertise are Mucormycosis, Aspergillosis, Agranulocytosis, COVID-19, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
William Hope practices in Manchester, United Kingdom. Mr. Hope is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Aspergillosis. His top areas of expertise are Aspergillosis, Cryptococcal Meningitis, Cryptococcosis, Meningitis, and Endoscopy.
Juergen Loeffler practices in Wuerzburg, Germany. Loeffler is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Aspergillosis. Their top areas of expertise are Aspergillosis, Mucormycosis, Pneumocystis Jiroveci Pneumonia, Agranulocytosis, and Bone Marrow Transplant.
With treatment, people with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis usually get better over time. It is common for the disease to come back (relapse) and need repeat treatment.
If invasive aspergillosis does not get better with treatment using medicine, it eventually leads to death. The outlook for invasive aspergillosis also depends on the person's underlying disease and immune system health.
Health problems from the disease or treatment include:
- Amphotericin B can cause kidney damage and unpleasant side effects such as fever and chills
- Bronchiectasis (permanent scarring and enlargement of the small sacs in the lungs)
- Invasive lung disease can cause massive bleeding from the lung
- Mucus plugs in the airways
- Permanent airway blockage
- Respiratory failure
Contact your provider right away if you develop symptoms of aspergillosis or if you have a weakened immune system and develop a fever.
Precautions should be taken when using medicines that suppress the immune system.
Background: \- The immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and organs that fight infections. Problems with this system may lead to frequent, severe, or unusual fungal infections. These infections are often difficult to treat. Researchers want to collect blood and tissue samples from people who have unusual, persistent or severe fungal infections or immune problems that increase the risk of these i...
Summary: To assess the safety and efficacy of nebulized PC945 in combination with systemic antifungal therapy for the treatment of refractory IPA
Published Date: May 12, 2025
Published By: Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Roy and Diana Vagelos Professor in Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Thompson GR, Wiederhold NP, Patterson TF. Aspergillus species. In: Blaser MJ, Cohen JI, Holland SM, et al, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 263.
Walsh TJ, Patterson TF. Aspergillosis. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 311.