AN INCREASE in mycotic infections in recent years has been generally recognized. This increase cannot be related entirely to new diagnostic methods, since there have been no major advances in this regard in the last two decades. After studying 15,845 consecutive autopsies, Keye and Magee1 concluded this trend was related to the widespread use of antibiotics and corticosteroids. Numerous clinical and laboratory studies have supported this relationship, although the mechanism is not entirely clear.
The species of the genus Aspergillus are best known as saprophytes. On rare occasion they may be the etiologic agents in the production of specific disease. Aspergillosis is most frequently limited to the pulmonary system and is usually caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Apparently, a secondary infection superimposed on tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, or carcinoma is more common than the primary form. Recently, Levene et al2 reported seven cases of pulmonary tuberculosis complicated by bronchopulmonary aspergillosis from