What's the treatment for aspergillosis?
The goal of treatment for aspergillosis 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 removal is required. In cases of aspergilloma, it may become necessary to surgically remove or reduce the size of a fungal mass, especially if the patient
continues to spit up blood. In aspergillosis cases affecting the nose and nasal sinuses, surgery may also be required.
Invasive aspergillosis is treated with several weeks of intravenous amphotericin B, an antifungal medication. Itraconazole or voriconazole can also be used. Endocarditis caused 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.
Doctors treat aspergillosis in the ear canal by scraping out the fungus and applying drops of antifungal drugs. Fungus collections in the sinuses must usually be removed surgically. If fungus balls in the lungs grow near large blood vessels, they may also need to be removed surgically because they may invade the blood vessel and cause bleeding.
Gradual improvement is seen in patients with allergic aspergillosis. Invasive aspergillosis may resist drug treatment and progress to death. The underlying disease and immune status of a person with invasive aspergillosis will also affect the overall prognosis. |
