<unk>  as a term encompasses a number of different presentations of varying severity. There is considerable overlap between disease forms which adds to confusion during diagnosis. The primary differentiation comes from radiological findings and serology. Aspergilloma An aspergilloma is a fungus ball composed of Aspergillus hypha - the long filamentous strands which extend from the fungus to enable growth and reproduction. They can arise within any bodily cavity, though in<unk>  they form within<unk>  cavities that have been colonized by Aspergillus spp. If there is a single, stable cavity that provides minimal symptoms, the term 'simple aspergilloma' is commonly used to distinguish it from more severe forms of<unk> . Aspergillus nodule Aspergillus can form single or multiple nodules which may or may not form a cavity. Whilst usually benign in nature, they can sometimes cause symptoms such as cough or an exacerbation of existing disease such as asthma. Histologically, there is necrosis surrounded by granulomatous inflammation with some multinucleated giant cells present.<unk>  cavitary<unk>  aspergillosis When people without immunocompromise undergo formation of one or more<unk>  cavities, this is called<unk>  cavitary<unk>  aspergillosis. Historically it was also known as "complex aspergilloma" in contrast to a "simple aspergilloma"; this is now considered inaccurate as many cases do not have a visible aspergilloma on imaging. In contrast to aspergilloma and Aspergillus nodules, the vast majority of people with<unk>  cavitary<unk>  aspergillosis have positive tests for IgG antibodies.<unk>  fibrosing<unk>  aspergillosis When<unk>  cavitary<unk>  aspergillosis is left untreated, it can progress to a form of aspergillosis known as<unk>  fibrosing<unk>  aspergillosis). As a result of the ongoing inflammation over an extended period of time, extensive fibrosis of the lung parenchyma occurs. This leads to a state known colloquially as "destroyed lung", and has features resembling treated<unk>  tuberculosis.<unk>  necrotizing<unk>  aspergillosis Also known as subacute invasive<unk>  aspergillosis, this form of<unk>  leads to progressive features over the course of one to three months—usually in people with some degree of immunocompromise. It is more common in people who are elderly or dependent on alcohol, or with diseases such as diabetes, malnutrition,<unk>  obstructive<unk>  disease or HIV/AIDS. In contrast to<unk>  cavitary<unk>  aspergillosis, for example, IgG antibodies for Aspergillus or an antigen called galactomannan may be found in the blood as well as in sputum samples.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
Lung cancer
Tuberculosis
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
Miliary tuberculosis
Primary inoculation tuberculosis
Primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis