aspergillosis
Meaning of aspergillosis: Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus mold that most often affects the lungs, particularly in people with a weakened immune system.
Definition of aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is an infection or reaction caused by Aspergillus, a common mold found widely in the environment, including in soil, dust, and decaying plant material. Most people inhale Aspergillus spores regularly without any effect, since a healthy immune system typically clears the fungus before it causes illness.
Aspergillosis most often affects the lungs and sinuses, though it can involve the skin and other areas as well. The illness can take different forms, ranging from an allergic reaction to the fungus in the airways, to a fungal ball forming within an existing lung cavity, to an invasive infection in which the fungus spreads into lung tissue and, in severe cases, into the bloodstream.
Invasive aspergillosis occurs almost exclusively in people with a significantly weakened immune system, such as those undergoing certain cancer treatments or organ transplantation, while the allergic and localized forms can occur in people with a functioning immune system, particularly those with an existing lung condition such as asthma.
Used in a sentence
A CT scan identified a fungal ball within an old lung cavity consistent with aspergillosis.
Good to know
Invasive aspergillosis occurs almost exclusively in people with significantly weakened immune systems, while allergic and localized forms can occur in people with otherwise normal immune function, particularly those with asthma or a prior lung cavity.
Word origin
Where “aspergillosis” comes from
The genus Aspergillus was named for the fungus's spore bearing structure, which resembles an aspergillum, a liturgical instrument used to sprinkle holy water; the suffix -osis denotes a condition or process.