Aspergillosis

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to control symptomatic infection.

A fungus ball usually does not require treatment unless bleeding into the lung tissue is associated with the infection, then surgical excision is required.

Invasive aspergillosis is treated with a 2 to 3 week course of intravenous amphotericin B, an antifungal medication.

Antifungal medications that are considered effective against aspergillosis:

• amphotericin B
• itraconazol

Endocarditis cause by aspergillus is treated by surgical removal of the infected heart valves and long term amphotericin B therapy.

Allergic aspergillosis is treated with oral prednisone. Some people may benefit from allergy desensitization. Antifungal agents do not help people with allergic aspergillosis.

Expectations (prognosis):

Gradual improvement is seen in patients with allergic aspergillosis. Invasive aspergillosis may resist drug treatment and progress to death. The underlying disease in a person with invasive aspergillosis may also affect the overall prognosis (probable outcome).

Complications:

Amphotericin B can cause kidney impairment.

Calling your health care provider:

Call the health care provider if urine output becomes decreased while receiving antifungal medication, or if fever, chills, headache or worsening symptoms develop.