Aspergillosis is a disease caused by fungi of the
genus Aspergillus which usually infects
immunocompromised hosts, but can cause more mild
disease in hosts who are immunocompetent. It is an infection of the
lungs, with associated symptoms of
fever,
chest pain, and
cough. The infection can spread (disseminate) to other body
organs including the
brain,
skin, and
bone. This organism can also cause
allergic sinusitis, and
asthma-type symptoms.
Aspergillus is
ubiquitous in the everyday environment. It is found in
soil,
composting materials, household
dust,
building materials,
houseplants, and can even colonize
food and
water. It is transmitted by
inhaling the
airborne spores, called "conidia".
Transplant recipients,
cancer patients, people taking high-
dose steroids, and rarely,
HIV-infected patients are at high risk for this infection.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/aspergillosis_t.htm