ut it can lead to a chronic dilation of the bronchial tubes (bronchiectasis).Pulmonary Mycetoma, also known as Aspergilloma or "fungus ball", is a form of Aspergillosis that often occurs as a result of the Aspergillus fungus growing together (colonization) in a cavity of the lungs. These cavities are usually caused by other pulmonary diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, histoplasmosis or coccioidomycosis. The fungus ball can be seen on x-rays. This form of Aspergillosis is characterized by a chronic cough, weight loss, a generalized feeling of ill-health (malaise) and the spitting up of blood (hemoptysis).Fulminative or Invasive Aspergillosis is another form of this disorder that can cause distribution of the Aspergillus fungus to other parts of the body. This disease can progress from a localized infection to a widespread erosion and ulceration of the bronchial system and an inflammation of the vascular system (vasculitis). Vasculitis is a narrowing of the inside of a blood vessel that can obstruct the flow of blood to the tissues. This lack of blood can cause damage to the tissues (necrosis), and a possible formation of blood clots (thrombosis). Invasive Aspergillosis is usually first confined to the lungs but it can spread through the blood to other organs especially the liver, brain, kidneys, skin, gastrointestinal tract and other sites. This can be a very serious disease which can have a slow or rapid course. It is seen in those whose immune system has been weakened by other illnesses, especially people with cancer (e.g., Leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease), kidney transplant patients or those undergoing certain drug therapies.Occasionally, Aspergillosis can cause Infective Endocarditis which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart muscle (endocardium). A type of infective endocarditis, prosthetic valvular endocarditis (PVE), may develop in patients who have previously had artificial (prosthetic) heart valve r...
