Aspergillus and the Lung

Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2024 Feb;45(1):3-20. doi: 10.1055/s-0043-1777259. Epub 2024 Jan 29.

Abstract

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus causes a wide spectrum of diseases in the human lung, with Aspergillus fumigatus being the most pathogenic and allergenic subspecies. The broad range of clinical syndromes that can develop from the presence of Aspergillus in the respiratory tract is determined by the interaction between host and pathogen. In this review, an oversight of the different clinical entities of pulmonary aspergillosis is given, categorized by their main pathophysiological mechanisms. The underlying immune processes are discussed, and the main clinical, radiological, biochemical, microbiological, and histopathological findings are summarized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus
  • Aspergillus fumigatus
  • Humans
  • Lung*
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis* / etiology

Grants and funding

Funding I.J., B.N.L., and E.V.B. receive funding from an EOS consortium grant (G0H1222N) and the Forton Fund and Belgian Cystic Fibrosis Association through the King Baudouin Foundation.