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A patient with a history of asthma presents with fever, cough with increasing purulent sputum for 24 hours, sputum culture positive for Aspergillus fumigatus 2 months ago, respiratory distress, and diffuse expiratory wheezes with crackles in the left lung base. What is the diagnosis?

User Mrembisz
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Final answer:

The diagnosis for the patient's symptoms is aspergillosis, a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus fungi. Symptoms include fever, cough with purulent sputum, respiratory distress, and wheezes with crackles in the lungs. Diagnosing aspergillosis involves using diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs and microscopic examination of tissue and respiratory fluid samples.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagnosis for the patient's symptoms is aspergillosis. Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus fungi. Symptoms include fever, cough with purulent sputum, respiratory distress, and wheezes with crackles in the lungs. In this case, the patient's history of asthma and positive sputum culture for Aspergillus fumigatus 2 months ago further supports the diagnosis of aspergillosis.

Diagnostic tests such as chest radiographs and microscopic examination of tissue and respiratory fluid samples can confirm the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Treatment involves using intravenous antifungal agents and corticosteroids to manage allergic symptoms. However, discontinuation of corticosteroids is necessary in disseminated infections to allow for a protective immune response.

User Jeroen Pelgrims
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