Keuhkopuumusta

Keuhkopuumusta is a Finnish term used in medical contexts to describe fungal infections of the lungs, collectively referred to as pulmonary mycoses. These infections arise when fungi colonize or invade lung tissue. The etiologic agents vary and commonly include Aspergillus species (aspergillosis), Pneumocystis jirovecii, Histoplasma capsulatum, Cryptococcus neoformans, and fungi from the Mucorales order. Inhalation of airborne fungal spores is the typical route of infection. The clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic colonization to severe invasive disease, depending largely on the host’s immune status.

Risk factors for keuhkopuumusta include immunosuppression (for example HIV infection with low CD4 counts, organ transplantation, chemotherapy, or long-term corticosteroid use), chronic lung diseases such as COPD or prior lung scars, diabetes, and other conditions that impair host defenses or create abnormal lung architecture.

Symptoms commonly include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, and sometimes hemoptysis. Weight loss and fatigue may occur in chronic cases. Some infections remain localized, while invasive disease can spread beyond the lungs, particularly in severely immunocompromised individuals.

Diagnosis relies on imaging and microbiological testing. Chest radiographs or CT scans may reveal nodules, cavitations, consolidations, or a fungus ball in a preexisting cavity. Microbiological evidence from sputum, bronchoscopy samples, or tissue biopsy is used to identify the causative fungus. Tests such as galactomannan, beta-D-glucan, and PCR can support specific diagnoses.

Treatment is tailored to the organism and disease severity, often involving antifungal medications (for example voriconazole or itraconazole for aspergillosis, amphotericin B for certain other infections) and management of underlying immune suppression. Prognosis varies with the underlying condition and timeliness of treatment.