eMedicineLive

A new report published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization states that cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) are often mistaken as recurrence of tuberculosis and left untreated, until too late. CPA is a slowly progressive disease which can be easily treated if detected early. However, it remains largely undetected until symptoms like weight loss, lethargy, shortness of breath and hemoptysis, make an appearance. In countries like India, Africa and China, which have a large percentage of tuberculosis patients, the symptoms of CPA are often mistaken to be that of recurrence of tuberculosis. The disease is then either left untreated, or a wrong treatment is prescribed, leading to many unnecessary deaths. CPA can lead to death within 5 years in 50% of the patients. 

 

The above mentioned report was written on the basis of a study led by Dr. David W. Denning, Director, National Aspergillosis Center, University Hospital of South Manchester. The study was carried out to find out the extent of incidence of CPA in patients who have suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis. The study concluded that development of CPA is a common sequel after pulmonary tuberculosis. However, its incidence varies widely from place to place. While its incidence was 17% in such patients in Manchester compared to 93% in Korea. 

 

CPA can be detected in its early stages by testing for aspergillus antibodies. As the disease is completely curable with a long tern anti-fungal therapy, stress should be laid down on an early detection of the disease, before the appearance of the symptoms. CPA can occur as a simple aspergilloma, chronic cavitary aspergillosis and chronic fibrosing aspergillosis. It can lead to a gradual and unexplained loss of lung function and may be fatal in 20 to 33% patients, even in a short term.

 

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