A Collaborative Tale of Diagnosing and Treating Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis, from the Perspectives of Clinical Microbiologists, Surgical Pathologists, and Infectious Disease Clinicians

Abstract

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) refers to a spectrum of Aspergillus-mediated disease that is associated with high morbidity and mortality, with its true prevalence vastly underestimated. The diagnosis of CPA includes characteristic radiographical findings in conjunction with persistent and systemic symptoms present for at least three months, and evidence of Aspergillus infection. Traditionally, Aspergillus infection has been confirmed through histopathology and microbiological studies, including fungal culture and serology, but these methodologies have limitations that are discussed in this review. The treatment of CPA requires an individualized approach and consideration of both medical and surgical options. Most Aspergillus species are considered susceptible to mold-active triazoles, echinocandins, and amphotericin B; however, antifungal resistance is emerging and well documented, demonstrating the need for novel therapies and antifungal susceptibility testing that correlates with clinical response. Here, we describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of CPA, with an emphasis on the strengths and pitfalls of diagnostic and treatment approaches, as well as future directions, including whole genome sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. The advancement of molecular technology enables rapid and precise species level identification, and the determination of molecular mechanisms of resistance, bridging the clinical infectious disease, anatomical pathology, microbiology, and molecular biology disciplines.