Sign in  |  Register

Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Ency. home > Disease > P > Pulmonary aspergillosis - allergic bronchopulmonary type

Pulmonary aspergillosis - allergic bronchopulmonary type    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Aspergillosis - allergic bronchopulmonary; Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; ABPA

Definition:

An allergic reaction to a fungus called aspergillus which causes inflammation of the airways and air sacks of the lungs.

Causes and Risks

The aspergillus fungus is common. It can grow on dead leaves, stored grain, bird droppings, compost stacks, and other decaying vegetation. Although most people are frequently exposed to aspergillus, infections caused by it such as a pneumonia or fungus ball (aspergilloma) are rare.

Some people, however, have an allergic reaction (hypersensitivity) to this fungus, which is called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). It is characterized by inflammation of the airways (bronchi) or air sacks (alveoli). The disease may mimick asthma or pneumonia, and, in fact, most patients with ABPA have asthma as well.

Patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis are at highest risk for allergic aspergillosis.

Ency. home > Disease > P > Pulmonary aspergillosis - allergic bronchopulmonary type

[an error occurred while processing this directive]