Aspergillus Bronchitis for Expert Patients and non-Specialist Clinicians

Expert Information for Patients, GPs, and Specialist Nurses

🔎 What Is Aspergillus Bronchitis?

Aspergillus bronchitis is a chronic fungal infection of the airways by Aspergillus fumigatus (or rarely other Aspergillus species), seen in individuals with structural lung disease or impaired mucociliary clearance. Unlike ABPA, it is not allergic in origin and does not involve systemic invasion, but is characterised by persistent fungal colonisation with active infection.

🧬 Pathophysiology

  • Chronic colonisation of the conducting airways by Aspergillus

  • Local immune dysfunction (but not systemic immunosuppression)

  • Low-grade inflammation and increased mucus production

  • Often coexists with bronchiectasis, COPD, or CF

👥 Who Is at Risk?

Most commonly seen in patients with:

  • Bronchiectasis (non-ABPA)

  • Cystic fibrosis

  • COPD or asthma with sputum production

  • Post-viral or structural airway damage

  • Chronic antibiotic or corticosteroid use

Not typically seen in severely immunocompromised hosts (in whom invasive aspergillosis is more likely).

⚠️ Common Symptoms

  • Persistent productive cough

  • Thick sputum often yellow or green

  • Worsening breathlessness or wheeze

  • Chronic sputum positivity for Aspergillus

  • Mild fever or malaise (but often afebrile)

  • Poor response to antibiotics alone

Symptoms may resemble chronic bacterial bronchitis or overlap with infective exacerbations of bronchiectasis.

🧪 Diagnosis

Diagnosis requires a combination of clinical and microbiological evidence, with exclusion of ABPA and CPA.

Diagnostic Features:

  1. Chronic productive cough (>4 weeks)

  2. Repeated isolation of Aspergillus from sputum or BAL

  3. Elevated Aspergillus IgG (typically present)

  4. Normal or mildly elevated total IgE (typically <1000 IU/mL)

  5. Absence of cavitary lesions or ABPA features on CT

  6. Response to antifungal treatment supports diagnosis

🛑 Exclude:

  • ABPA (IgE >1000, eosinophilia, central bronchiectasis)

  • CPA (cavities, weight loss, radiological progression)

💊 Treatment

First-Line:

  • Oral antifungals (usually for 3–6 months)

    • Itraconazole (first choice)

    • Voriconazole or posaconazole (if resistant/intolerant)

  • Monitor drug levels and LFTs

Adjuncts:

  • Physiotherapy and airway clearance techniques

  • Nebulised saline or mucolytics

  • Treat co-infections (e.g. Pseudomonas) where relevant

In patients with CF, consider co-management with a specialist CF team.

🧾 Monitoring

  • Sputum cultures to monitor persistence or clearance

  • Aspergillus IgG levels

  • Symptoms (sputum, breathlessness)

  • Liver function and drug monitoring

  • Periodic CT imaging if symptoms worsen or haemoptysis occurs

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by GAtherton

Aspergillus Sinusitis for Expert Patients and non-Specialist Clinicians

Expert Information for Patients, GPs, and Specialist Nurses

🔎 What Is Aspergillus Sinusitis?

Aspergillus sinusitis refers to fungal involvement of the paranasal sinuses by Aspergillus species, especially A. fumigatus. It spans a spectrum from benign colonisation to destructive invasive disease, depending on the host’s immune status.

There are four main clinical forms, with distinct presentations and treatment approaches.

🧬 Main Forms

Type Description Typical Host
Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis (AFRS) A hypersensitivity reaction with nasal polyps and allergic mucin Atopic patients (often young adults)
Fungal Ball (Mycetoma) A dense fungal plug within a sinus cavity, non-invasive Immunocompetent individuals
Chronic Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Slowly progressive mucosal and bony invasion Diabetics, immunosuppressed
Acute Invasive Fungal Sinusitis Rapidly destructive, vascular invasion, necrosis Severely immunocompromised (e.g. neutropenic, transplant recipients)

👥 Who Is at Risk?

Depends on form:

🟩 AFRS:

  • Asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis

  • Nasal polyps

  • Fungal IgE sensitisation (esp. Aspergillus)

🟨 Fungal Ball:

  • Older adults

  • Dental work (esp. upper molars with root involvement)

  • Chronic sinus blockage or prior surgery

🟧 Chronic Invasive:

  • Long-term corticosteroid or immunosuppressive use

  • Poorly controlled diabetes

🟥 Acute Invasive:

  • Haematological malignancies

  • Bone marrow/stem cell transplant

  • Neutropenia or severe COVID-19

⚠️ Clinical Features

Symptom Common To
Nasal congestion, discharge All forms
Facial pain or pressure All forms
Nasal polyps AFRS
Foul smell or thick mucus Fungal ball
Eye pain, proptosis, visual changes Invasive forms
Fever, systemic illness Invasive forms
Black eschar or necrosis Acute invasive sinusitis (medical emergency)

🧪 Diagnosis

Initial Evaluation:

  • Nasal endoscopy: mucosal thickening, polyps, or black necrosis

  • CT scan: sinus opacification, bone erosion, hyperdense lesions

  • MRI: assesses orbital or intracranial extension in invasive cases

Microbiology & Histopathology:

  • Direct microscopy or fungal stain (e.g. GMS)

  • Culture for Aspergillus spp.

  • Aspergillus-specific IgE/IgG in AFRS

  • Tissue biopsy is essential in invasive disease

💊 Treatment

🟩 AFRS:

  • Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to clear sinuses

  • Oral and topical corticosteroids

  • Antifungals (controversial; may reduce recurrence)

  • Allergen immunotherapy in selected cases

🟨 Fungal Ball:

  • Surgical removal only (FESS)

  • No systemic antifungal needed unless complications arise

🟧 Chronic Invasive:

  • Surgical debridement

  • Long-term oral antifungals (e.g. voriconazole, posaconazole)

  • Monitor drug levels and imaging

🟥 Acute Invasive:

  • Urgent surgical debridement

  • High-dose IV antifungals (voriconazole or liposomal amphotericin B)

  • Reversal of immunosuppression

  • High mortality if delayed — requires ICU and ID team coordination

🧾 Monitoring

  • Repeat imaging for resolution (especially invasive forms)

  • Symptom scores for AFRS and post-FESS recovery

  • Antifungal levels and LFTs if systemic therapy used

  • Endoscopic surveillance in high-risk or relapsing patients

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by GAtherton

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) for Expert Patients and Non-Specialist Clinicians

Expert Information for Patients, GPs, and Specialist Nurses

🔎 What Is CPA?

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) is a long-term fungal lung infection caused by Aspergillus, typically A. fumigatus. It occurs in individuals with underlying lung damage and can progress slowly over months to years. It includes several subtypes ranging from cavitary lesions to fibrosing disease and fungal balls (aspergillomas).

🧬 Subtypes of CPA

Subtype Description
Simple aspergilloma Fungal ball within a pre-existing lung cavity
Chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA) Multiple cavities ± fungal balls; progressive
Chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis Advanced form with fibrosis and volume loss
Subacute invasive aspergillosis (SAIA) Intermediate between CPA and invasive disease; more rapid progression over weeks to months
Aspergillus nodules Discrete nodules without cavitation; may mimic malignancy

👥 Who Is at Risk?

CPA typically affects people with pre-existing lung disease or immune dysfunction, including:

  • Tuberculosis (old or active)

  • COPD and emphysema

  • Bronchiectasis

  • Sarcoidosis

  • Prior pneumothorax

  • Lung cancer or surgery

  • Diabetes mellitus

  • Low-dose or chronic steroid use

⚠️ Common Symptoms

CPA symptoms often evolve insidiously over >3 months:

  • Chronic productive cough

  • Haemoptysis (may be mild or massive)

  • Fatigue and weight loss

  • Breathlessness

  • Chest discomfort

  • Fever (occasional)

🧪 Diagnosis

Diagnosis of CPA requires the combination of:

  1. Symptoms ≥3 months

  2. Imaging:

    • CT chest: cavitary lesions, pleural thickening, aspergilloma, fibrotic changes

  3. Microbiology:

    • Positive sputum culture, PCR, or histopathology for A. fumigatus

  4. Serology:

    • Elevated Aspergillus IgG antibodies (essential for diagnosis)

  5. Exclusion of other diseases:

    • Especially active TB, malignancy, and bacterial infections

💊 Treatment

First-Line:

  • Oral triazole antifungals (minimum 6 months, often longer)

    • Itraconazole

    • Voriconazole

    • Posaconazole

  • Therapeutic drug monitoring is crucial

Additional:

  • Inhaled antifungals (e.g. amphotericin B) in selected cases

  • Surgery for localised disease or life-threatening haemoptysis (if fit)

  • Bronchial artery embolisation for bleeding control

  • Physiotherapy and nutritional support

🧾 Monitoring

  • CT scan every 3–6 months during treatment

  • Aspergillus IgG titres to monitor disease activity

  • Liver function and antifungal levels (monthly at minimum)

  • Symptom tracking (cough, energy, weight, breathlessness)

📚 More Information

by GAtherton