Pulmonary aspergillosis: diagnosis and treatment

Abstract Aspergillosis is a multifaceted disease that mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Invasive aspergillosis is mainly a consequence of impaired host defense system, whereas in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) the allergic reaction occurs between immunity of host and Aspergillus antigen, which leads to lung inflammation. The main causative agent of this disease is A. fumigatus and emergence of drug resistance, especially to azoles, has become a serious health problem in many countries. Considering this fact, identification of pathogen is very much important morphologically, as well as by using molecular markers. The present chapter highlights, the classification of pulmonary aspergillosis, molecular and morphological identification of Aspergillus strains, antifungal drugs used for treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis and multidrug resistance problem.