Aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is a pathogenically interesting infectious process as it relates to the possible use of targeted antifungal delivery. With few exceptions, the primary mode of acquisition of an Aspergillus spp. is by the inhalation of conidia. Once inhaled, the conidia are deposited in the distal portions of the respiratory tract. Here, the conidia bathe in epithelial lining fluid and may be engulfed by pulmonary macrophages; however, until germination occurs, the pathogen does not invade the host. Hence, conidia and newly germinating moulds should be relatively easy to eradicate since tissue invasion has not yet occurred. Even once tissue invasion occurs during the initial stages of infection. most hyphae rem ain localized within lung tissue. During this phase of the infection, many hypothesize the pathogen may be more efficiently treated before dissemination occurs. Another factor that has spurred interest in the use of inhaled antifungals for invasive aspergillosis is that in spite of the availability of newer agents with improved activity against Aspergillus spp., morbidity and mortality associated with infection remain high.

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Last date updated on April, 2024