Aspergillosis

A rare infectious disease caused by inhalation of the opportunistic fungus <i>aspergillus</i> that can lead to the following manifestations: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), aspergilloma, chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA), and invasive aspergillosis (IA). Aspergilloma occurs in patients with cavitary lung disease and results in a fungal mass with variable clinical presentations from asymptomatic to life-threatening (massive hemoptysis). CNPA manifests as subacute pneumonia in patients with underlying disease. IA is disseminated aspergillosis that eventually invades other organs. Cutaneous aspergillosis is usually the dermatological manifestation of IA that manifests as erythematous-to-violaceous plaques or papules, often characterized by a central necrotic ulcer or eschar.