Aspergilloma

Creative Biolabs provides various custom-designed studies to exploit new drug candidates for the treatment of various aspergillosis. We offer a series of potential target development services to understand aspergilloma better.

What is Aspergilloma?

Aspergilloma, also known as a fungal ball, is normally found in injured or scarred lung tissue, such as bronchiectasis areas or preexisting cavities. These cavities are the very productive zones for mycelia growth, and eventually, they produce a ball-like structure that maneuvers independently without entering into the blood vessel or viable tissue. Many cavitary lung diseases, such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, cavitary tumor, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchiectasis, and histoplasmosis, are complicated by aspergilloma. Among these, pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common cause of cavities facilitating the development of aspergilloma. It has also been reported that aspergilloma can develop in otherwise healthy lungs. For example, Aspergillus species colonizing the respiratory tract can secrete digestive enzymes into the surrounding lung parenchyma and create space for the growth of the fungus ball.

Fig.1 A complex aspergilloma. (Kucharczuk, 2007)

Symptoms of Aspergilloma

The clinical manifestations of pulmonary aspergilloma are diverse, ranging from asymptomatic cases to massive and sometimes fatal hemoptysis. When symptoms do develop, they can include:

• Cough (sometimes cough with blood, which can be a life-threatening sign)
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Weight loss

Diagnosis Methods for Aspergilloma

The diagnosis of aspergilloma is suggested after obtaining an abnormal chest roentgenogram which shows the ball of fungus. In addition to X-ray, other tests that may be done include:

• Biopsy
• Chest CT
• Serologic test (for the detection of Aspergillus in the body or specific antibodies for Aspergillus)
• Bronchoscopy or bronchoscopy with lavage
• Sputum culture

Treatment of Aspergilloma

Generally, asymptomatic patients with aspergilloma do not require treatment and can be monitored for the development of symptomatic disease. Symptomatic patients are treated based on whether they have single or multiple aspergillomas as well as the severity of their symptoms. Single symptomatic lesions are best treated by surgical resection. Antifungals can be used as the mainstay of treatment in cases where surgery is not available or feasible.

Aided by experienced scientists, Creative Biolabs has successfully established advanced platforms for potential antifungal targets exploiting. Our professional staffs are happy to promote the success of global customers’ programs using multiple approaches, such as target identification and validation, hit identification, and hit to lead. Except for aspergilloma, we also offer drug discovery services against other aspergillosis as well as Aspergillus spp. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

1. Kucharczuk, J.C.; Kaiser, L.R. Resection of Symptomatic, Complex Aspergilloma. 2007.

For Research Use Only.