Figure 2

Two contrasting disease models (A and B), with common elements of risk and exposure, but different outcomes. Model A illustrates a linear relationship between disease and complications, whereas model B provides independent consequences of fungal exposure, which may or may not be associated. In both models, it is proposed that airway colonization/infection with fungus, and possibly fungal impaction from breathing airborne non-pathogenic fungi, and/or bacterial infection, continue to drive the inflammatory process.