Aspergilus

[nigelrichards]

My wife has just been diagnosed with aspergilus. Shes 48 and an astma sufferer but otherwise healthy. She started coughing about a year ago and has been treated with antibiotics on an off with no effect. The chest consultant she has seen twice now evidently knows little about the condition. He said it will kill her. What can we expect?

[Mariongisela]

Hi welcome to this site. It's scary isn't being given a diagnosis and not really knowing much about it. My husband has been diagnosed with aspergillosis - and we await results of the biopsy of the lung he had done three weeks ago. We have dealt with so many specialist and the one we are seeing at the moment has a little knowledge about aspergillosis - we want to be referred to the Manchester centre so we don't think we are talking a different language and to get some answers.

My husband generally feels Unwell, coughs nearly all the time, has lost weight and is often breathless.

I am not sure of what the prognosis is but was told there was no cure but it could be managed.

I understand that there are various types of aspergillosis and I think that's what the biopsy results will tell us.

Good luck to you and your wife.

Marion

[naomi88]

"Aspergillus is a member of the Deuteromycetes fungi, which is a group with no known sexual state. With DNA evidence forthcoming, all members of the genus Aspergillus likely are closely related and should be considered members of the Ascomycota. Members of the genus possess the ability to grow where a high osmotic concentration (high sugar, salt, etc.) exists. Aspergillus species are highly aerobic and are found in almost all oxygen-rich environments, where they commonly grow as molds on the surface of a substrate, as a result of the high oxygen tension. Commonly, fungi grow on carbon-rich substrates like monosaccharides (such as glucose) and polysaccharides (such as amylose). Aspergillus species are common contaminants of starchy foods (such as bread and potatoes), and grow in or on many plants and trees.[citation needed]

In addition to growth on carbon sources, many species of Aspergillus demonstrate oligotrophy where they are capable of growing in nutrient-depleted environments, or environments with a complete lack of key nutrients. A. niger is a prime example of this; it can be found growing on damp walls, as a major component of mildew."

Hi, I am sorry to hear about the news. Having asthma makes it harder. I found this info at this link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asper... It may help you.

Part of the management is to stop supplying food for it - the sugars, starches etc- , create an environment in the body that Aspargillus will not be able to thrive.

Interesting the info says that Aspargillus is capable to grow in nutrient-depleted enviroments. This give me the idea that there is need of high nutrition foods to create a body that the Aspargillus is happy to move out of.

Also the enviroment of the house one lives in must come under scrutiny to eliminate any molds or dump areas.

I guess the antibiotics didn't help because they are mycotoxins as well. The intestinal flora needs made strong with probiotics (dairy free) that can be found over the counter. The friendly intestinal flora is part of ones immune system. We need them badly.

Hope this helps in a way or another. Making pro-life choices changes the outcome.

[GAtherton Administrator Fungal Infection Trust in reply to naomi88]

There is no current evidence that diet will influence an Aspergillus infection other than you should ensure you have a full and varied diet to ensure that your immune system is fully armed to fight the infection!

We are finding that each person with chronic aspergillosis has characteristic weaknesses in their immune system - this is genetic variation rather than any particular environmental influence but of course we cannot rule out living in a mouldy home might increase the chances of an aspergillosis alongside a genetic weakness. We do know that for the most part people are very highly resistant to mould infection so infection is very rare without genetic factors being involved.

Antbiotics are not active against fungi - antifungal drugs are designed for the treatment of fungal infections but need to be closely monitored by a doctor when in use as they are not straightforward to use.

[fcag2001]

Maybe the Azole group of anti fungal drugs would help. Ask Doctor to consider itraconazole or other similar drugs in the same group. They have worked wonders for me despite some unpleasant side effects which I tolerate for a better health status.

You need to have your blood monitored regularly for these drugs but GP or hospital can do this. Good luck.

[StewartArm]

Finding out you have aspergilliosis can be very scary and looking on the Internet only makes it worse. I personally got diagnosed this year and got told life expectancy is 12-18 months. But to be fair it seems no-one really knows and a lot of statistics are based on older people that don't receive any treatment until it's to late. You need to see a specialist snd get the advice you need and if needed start treatment.

I know it's easy to say, but you need to try not to worry. Which I have found hard but if you can it will help.

[GAtherton Administrator Fungal Infection Trust]

There are several types of aspergillosis that your wife could be diagnosed with. I cannot be sure what type she has from your description but it sounds like a form that is managed though not curable - this does not mean your wife will deteriorate rapidly as with careful management many years of life are experienced by most patients. See nacpatients.org.uk for full details. Also be sure to join the support groups you will find on that website as many people find themselves feeling very isolated when they are first diagnosed with aspergillosis.

In the UK we have an NHS specialist centre for the treatment of chronic aspergillosis that you can be referred to in Manchester - see nationalaspergillosiscentre.... NAC has patients we have been managing for many years.

I hope that helps

Graham Atherton

[freefaller in reply to GAtherton]

Hello, I am waiting to be diagnosed - having had a lung biopsy done on Tuesday after CT Scans and PET/CT Scans did not give definitive results. Aspergillosis is one of the things that I have been told could be wrong with me. As I live in Wales where the NHS has many different rules from the English NHS I wonder is it possible for me to be referred to the National Centre in Manchester or do I have to emigrate - again ha ha.

[Betaji in reply to GAtherton]

What you think the average life expectancy if some is diagnosed with abpa.

[nigelrichards]

Thanks for all your responses. She's developed a urinary infection and ear ache now which is adding to our concern. She's started medication and seen her Dr. who has refered her to Manchester. Lets hope we get a proper prognosis soon.