Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Creative Biolabs is a pioneer company in the field of drug discovery industry. Based on years of experience and advanced technology, now we can provide a series of high-quality antifungal drug discovery services for global customers. Here, we are happy to introduce our drug candidates exploiting service against chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA).

What is Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis?

CPA is a long-term Aspergillus infection of the lung and Aspergillus fumigates is almost always the species responsible for this illness. Unlike ABPA and IA, CPA affects individuals who are not (or are mildly) immunocompromised or are locally pulmonary-immunocompromised due to underlying disease. In other words, patients with underlying chronic respiratory disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, post-pulmonary tuberculosis, non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis (NTM), cystic fibrosis (CF), bronchiectasis, or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis could develop saprophytic Aspergillus colonization and infection, namely, CPA. Furthermore, CPA could present as several disease manifestations, including aspergilloma, Aspergillus nodules, chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis, and chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis.

Fig.1 Imaging showing chronic CPA showing an axial view with a) lung and b) mediastinal windows at the level of the right upper lobe. (Denning, 2015)

Symptoms of CPA

The disease is often mistaken for pulmonary tuberculosis. Commonly, symptoms of CPA include:

• Fever
• Weight loss
• Cough (with or without hemoptysis)
• Fatigue
• Sputum production
• Shortness of breath

Diagnosis of CPA

The diagnosis of CPA is occasionally complicated, as there are several disease entities in CPA. Diagnostic methods used for CPA are similar to those of IPA, but their interpretation and significance vary. Usually, the diagnosis of CPA is made in patients with suspicious radiology showing one or more cavities or nodules. Various clinical information such as patients' background, radiological images, clinical courses, cultural tests, and other supportive diagnostic methods are needed to diagnose CPA. Currently, key diagnostic methods used for CPA include:

• Radiological and histopathology analysis
• Mycological culture
• Antigen and antibody test
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Treatment of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

The aim of current treatment strategies for CPA is to eradicate aspergillosis or, more commonly, to provide palliative treatment. In a general way, long-term antifungal treatment is required, but case-by-case surgery should be discussed. Patients with poor pulmonary function are generally inoperable and can, alternatively, undergo endovascular treatment such as bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in the case of life-threatening hemoptysis and also receive systemic antifungal therapy.

With the help of experienced scientists and professional technical team, Creative Biolabs is committed to promoting the development of global customers’ programs using various approaches. In addition to CPA, 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. Denning, D.W.; et.al. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: rationale and clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management. European Respiratory Journal. 2015, 47(1): 45-68.

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