Aspergillosis
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NIE
Context: Pigeons in Indian cities, especially the Blue Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), are being wrongly blamed for rising cases of Aspergillosis, a fungal respiratory infection.
About Aspergillosis:
• What is Aspergillosis? A respiratory infection caused by inhaling spores from Aspergillus, a genus of mold. Most commonly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, which releases airborne spores.
• A respiratory infection caused by inhaling spores from Aspergillus, a genus of mold.
• Most commonly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, which releases airborne spores.
• Source and Transmission: Not contagious from person to person. Spread occurs through inhalation of spores found in: Soil, compost, dust, rotting vegetation Air ducts, damp walls, bird droppings, old grains Pigeons may contribute indirectly but are not the primary source.
• Not contagious from person to person.
• Spread occurs through inhalation of spores found in: Soil, compost, dust, rotting vegetation Air ducts, damp walls, bird droppings, old grains
• Soil, compost, dust, rotting vegetation
• Air ducts, damp walls, bird droppings, old grains
• Pigeons may contribute indirectly but are not the primary source.
• Key Features of the Fungus: Ubiquitous and naturally present in urban and rural environments. Grows best in moist, poorly ventilated, or decaying areas. Spores are microscopic and easily inhaled in large quantities.
• Ubiquitous and naturally present in urban and rural environments.
• Grows best in moist, poorly ventilated, or decaying areas.
• Spores are microscopic and easily inhaled in large quantities.
• Symptoms of Aspergillosis: Persistent cough, chest pain, wheezing. Fever, shortness of breath. Coughing blood in advanced cases (chronic pulmonary aspergillosis).
• Persistent cough, chest pain, wheezing.
• Fever, shortness of breath.
• Coughing blood in advanced cases (chronic pulmonary aspergillosis).
• Treatment Options: Antifungal medications like voriconazole or itraconazole. Surgery in severe or invasive cases.
• Surgery in severe or invasive cases.