Treatment Fungal infections caused by Aspergillosis (Aspergillus Fumigatus) have a high mortality rate because they are not only difficult to treat, but there are a limited number of drugs that serve as an effective treatment. The three major drugs used to treat Aspergillus fumigatus are amphotericin B, voriconazole, and isavuconazole. Physicians have recommended amphotericin B for patients suffering from Aspergillosis for decades, but they have yet to fully understand the mechanism behind this drug (Venegas et al, 2003). From what is known, Amphotericin B acts on fungal infection by binding to ergosterol. When amphotericin B binds to this component of fungal cell membranes, it creates transmembrane ion channels. These channels then allow cations with one valence electron to quickly pass, and they also prevent the function of ATPase pumps (Latgé, 1999). As a result, amphotericin B forms pore-like structures in the membrane that cause monovalent ions to leak out of the cell. This rapid leakage eventually leads to death of the fungal cell (Venegas et al, 2003). Patients given amphotericin B to treat Aspergillus …show more content…
Many people are able to breathe these spores in and not get sick. However, people with lung diseases and/or weak immune systems should worry because they have a higher risk of becoming infected (CDC, 2017). For people with weak immune systems or lung disease, they should avoid dusty areas like a construction site, avoid yard work or any activity that requires close contact with soil, and they should also test for early fungal infection (CDC, 2017). High-risk patients should consider getting blood work done because it may help them detect aspergillosis before it gets worse. In addition, people who have a high risk of contracting invasive aspergillosis can talk to their physicians about receiving antifungal medication (CDC,