Asbestos exposure and aspergillus infection.

Four cases of asbestos-related changes of the lung complicated by aspergillus infection are described. In such cases, the resulting clinical and radiological picture can give rise to some confusion. It is suggested that exposure to asbestos leads to changes in the bronchi and the lung parenchyma which can facilitate growth of the fungus. It is also possible that asbestos can affect the immune system in such a way that the body's anti-fungal defences are weakened. The aspergillus infection can mimic a tumor and/or lead to obstructive symptoms, and in one of the cases described an infected empyema was found.