Aspergillus-Related Lung Disease
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provided by Elsevier - Publisher Connector Respiratory Medicine CME (2008) 1, 205e215
CME ARTICLE Aspergillus-related lung disease
Alexey Amchentsev*, Navatha Kurugundla, Anthony G. Saleh
Department of Medicine/Pulmonary & Critical Care, New York Methodist Hospital, 506 Sixth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214, USA
Summary Aspergilli are ubiquitous fungi with branched septate hyphae. Aspergillus produces a wide variety of diseases determined by the inoculating dosage, the ability of the host to resist infec- tion at local and systemic levels and the virulence of the organism. These entities differ clin- ically, radiologically, immunologically, and in their response to various therapeutic agents. Although the fungus can affect any organ system, the respiratory tract is involved in >90% of affected patients. A broad knowledge is required to timely diagnose and aggressively treat the potentially lethal manifestations of Aspergillus-related pulmonary diseases. ª 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Educational Aims: Introduction