Aspergillus species produce microscopically small spores which are extremely light and float in the air around us. This is how they spread. Normally when Aspergillus spores are inhaled by people, their immune system is activated, the spores are recognised as foreign and they are destroyed – no infection results.
Occasionally in an individual with a weakened immune system the spores are not “seen” and they can grow inside a lung or wound. When this happens the patient has an illness called aspergillosis – there are several different types of aspergillosis (more details).
A weakened immune system means that some immune responses which are normally switched on when a foreign microorganism or virus enters the body do not function properly – this may be due to chemotherapy, or to medicines taken after an organ or bone marrow transplant, or because you have an inherited disorder affecting the immune system such as cystic fibrosis or CGD.
White blood cells are able to recognise a foreign component in the tissues of the body and destroy it. An antibody is a special molecule which the body produces to help activate some of the specific cells present in the immune system – this is needed to recognise a foreign microbe such as Aspergillus. There are 4 types: IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE. Antibodies against Aspergillus proteins can be measured in a patient’s blood and this indicates if the patient may have an Aspergillus infection – this is done using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), such as the ImmunoCAP® Specific IgE Blood Test. Another test that measures whether a patient has had exposure to Aspergillus proteins is called the galactomannan assay, where antibodies specific to an Aspergillus cell wall molecule are tested in a blood sample.
Another measure that the immune system has been activated and a possible allergic-type of reaction has occurred, is to measure a patient’s IgE levels – a significantly elevated level suggests immune activation – then the presence of IgE antibodies specifically to Aspergillus species may be tested. This test will assist in the possible diagnosis of aspergillosis.
NOTE there have been two Patients Support Meetings that have covered parts of this subject: IgE and IgG.
What is IgE? Summary for the layperson Start at 0′ 55′ 43secs
What is IgG, IgM? Summary for the layperson Start at 0′ 29′ 14secs
Most people are either naturally immune to the spores of Aspergillus fumigatus, or have a sufficiently healthy immune system to fight the infection. However, if you have an allergic reaction (see ABPA) to the fungal spores and/or have lung problems or a weakened immune system then you are particularly susceptible.
Immune system and ABPA
An allergic form of Aspergillus infection called ABPA, which can occur in asthma patients, can be diagnosed by measuring the following immune markers in the blood:
- Increased white cell numbers, particularly eosinophils
- Immediate skin test reactivity to Aspergillus antigens (IgE)
- Precipitating antibodies to Aspergillus (IgG)
- Elevated total IgE
- Elevated Aspergillus-specific IgE
A white blood cell (yellow) engulfs a bacterium (orange). The SEM was taken by Volker Brinkmann: from PLoS Pathogens Vol. 1(3) November 2005
It is important to understand that several tests need to be undertaken to decide whether Aspergillus infection is the cause of your illness, and what type of aspergillosis you may have. Aspergillus can be difficult to detect and sometimes negative test results can still mean that aspergillosis can’t be ruled out. However there are other organisms, both fungal and bacterial, which can cause similar symptoms and should be investigated.
Chronic Granulomatous Disorder (CGD)
If you suffer from this genetic disorder you may also be vulnerable to Aspergillus infections. Contact the CGD Society for more information.