bild

Aspergillosis. Light micrograph of a section of a human lung infected with Aspergillus sp. fungus, causing aspergillosis. The fungal hyphae are the long pink bodies. Aspergillosis is caused by the inhalation of fungal spores, which are usually present in the air. In healthy people the immune system destroys the spores before they cause any harm. In those whose immune systems have been weakened by immunosuppressant drugs or diseases such as AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), however, the infection is potentially fatal. The infection may be treated with antifungal drugs. Magnification unknown. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CNRI)