Related Experiment Videos

[Aspergillosis and sarcoidosis]

S Lachkar1, S Dominique, L Thiberville

  • 1Service de Pneumologie, CHU Charles Nicolle, Rouen, France.

Revue Des Maladies Respiratoires
|November 23, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Diffuse fibrosing sarcoidosis increases the risk of aspergillosis, a serious fungal infection. Early detection and treatment are crucial due to the poor prognosis associated with this complication.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Diffuse fibrosing sarcoidosis is a significant risk factor for Aspergillus sp. infection.
  • Patients with chronic fibrosing sarcoidosis, particularly with cystic changes or cavitation in upper lobes, are most susceptible to aspergillosis.

Observation:

  • Aspergilloma is the most common form, often challenging to differentiate from chronic necrotizing aspergillosis.
  • Sarcoidosis-associated aspergillosis is linked to a higher incidence of respiratory failure and fatal hemoptysis.

Findings:

  • Oral antifungal drugs and bronchial embolization show limited efficacy in treating sarcoidosis with aspergillosis.
  • Surgical intervention is frequently required but complicated by extensive lesions and compromised respiratory function.

Implications:

  • Newer antifungal agents like voriconazole and posaconazole may offer improved treatment outcomes.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management of aspergillosis in sarcoidosis patients are essential for improving prognosis.

Related Concept Videos

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...