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New Delhi – Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA), a widespread fungal infection claiming 340,000 lives annually worldwide, poses a significant threat to patients with pre-existing lung diseases, according to a study by researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, reveals that approximately one in three patients with lung damage who contract CPA may face fatal outcomes within five years.
CPA is caused by airborne spores of the Aspergillus mould, which leads to progressive scarring of lung tissue over time. While harmless to most people, the spores can severely affect those with prior lung damage. Symptoms of CPA include extreme fatigue, weight loss, breathlessness, and coughing up blood, significantly impairing quality of life.
The study, led by AIIMS researchers Dr. Abinhav Sengupta and Dr. Animesh Ray, analyzed data from 8,778 patients across multiple continents, excluding Antarctica. It highlights that CPA has a particularly severe impact on those with underlying conditions. Around 32% of individuals with previous lung damage succumb to the infection within five years, with nearly 15% dying within the first year after contracting CPA.
Patients with a history of tuberculosis (TB) exhibited a slightly lower five-year mortality rate of 25%, but the researchers noted a troubling pattern: CPA is frequently misdiagnosed as TB. This misdiagnosis often results in patients being treated with anti-TB medications instead of the necessary antifungal drugs or surgical interventions, further exacerbating the risk of death.
“Treatment with antifungal agents or surgery is essential to improve outcomes and reduce mortality,” the researchers emphasized.
The study also identified other risk factors associated with worse outcomes in CPA patients, including age over 60, interstitial lung disease, cancer, and smoking-related lung damage.
The findings underscore the urgent need for accurate diagnosis and targeted treatments to manage CPA effectively, particularly in vulnerable populations. The researchers called for increased awareness among healthcare professionals to distinguish CPA from other lung conditions and implement timely interventions to save lives.
