Aspergillosis

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Aspergilloma

Aspergillosis - chest X-ray

Pulmonary aspergillosis

A fungus ball usually does not require treatment unless bleeding into the lung tissue is associated with the infection, then surgery is required.

Invasive aspergillosis is treated with several weeks of amphotericin B, an antifungal medication given by an IV. Itraconazole or voriconazole can also be used.

Endocarditis caused by Aspergillus is treated with by surgically removing the infected heart valves. Long-term amphotericin B therapy is also needed.

Antifungal agents do not help people with allergic aspergillosis. Allergic aspergillosis is treated with prednisone taken by mouth.

Gradual improvement is seen in patients with allergic aspergillosis.

If invasive aspergillosis resists drug treatment, it eventually leads to death. The outlook for a person with invasive aspergillosis also depends on the underlying disease and immune system function.

• Amphotericin B can cause kidney impairment and severely unpleasant side effects.
• Invasive lung disease can cause massive bleeding from the lung.

Call the health care provider if symptoms of aspergillosis develop.

Review Date: 10/09/2006
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.