Q and A: about health and research

Aspergillus is a common mold found in soil, compost, decaying leaves, vegetation, household dust and damp environments. Its microscopic spores are present in the air, and most people breathe them in regularly without becoming ill. Aspergillosis mainly becomes a concern in people with underlying lung disease, asthma, structural lung damage or a weakened immune system . Corticosteroids ("cortisone" or steroids), including some asthma and COPD inhalers, may also increase susceptibility because they suppress parts of the immune response. Main forms and possible symptoms Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) occurs mainly in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Possible symptoms include wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, thick mucus or mucus plugs, and worsening asthma. Unlike other forms, corticosteroids may actually be used to treat ABPA because they reduce the allergic inflammation. Aspergilloma ("fungus ball") develops when Aspergill...

What Are Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)? Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), also called myelodysplastic neoplasms, are a group of disorders in which the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy, mature blood cells. Instead, blood-forming cells may develop abnormally, fail to mature properly, or die prematurely. Because bone marrow is responsible for producing red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, MDS can result in shortages of one or more of these important types of blood cells. MDS varies considerably from person to person. Some forms progress slowly and may require little or no immediate treatment, while others are more aggressive and have a greater risk of progressing to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Bone Marrow Failure In MDS, abnormal blood-forming cells can interfere with the bone marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells. Although the bone marrow may contain many developing cells, relatively few mature, functional cells may reach the bloodstream. This pr...