Successful treatment of disseminated granulomatous aspergillosis in an apparently immunocompetent host

Trop Doct. 2020 Oct;50(4):346-349. doi: 10.1177/0049475520934358. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Abstract

A young Indian man presented elsewhere with a short history of haematuria and cough. Investigations revealed renal and pulmonary lesions. Histopathology of these lesions was reported as mucormycosis. He consulted us two months after onset of symptoms, asymptomatic and clinically well, having received no treatment. In view of clinico-histopathological discordance, a review of the biopsy slides was advised but the patient refused further work-up at that time. One week later, however, he was admitted with left hemiparesis. Brain imaging showed an abscess. He underwent surgical excision of the brain abscess and nephrectomy. Review of previous slides showed septate fungal filaments with granulomatous inflammation. Intraoperative cultures grew Aspergillus flavus. He received voriconazole for one year and is well at his two-year follow-up. His immunological work-up was negative for immunodeficiency. This case illustrates that granulomatous aspergillosis may be an indolent infection in apparently normal individuals and reiterates the importance of interpreting diagnostic reports in conjunction with clinical features.

Keywords: Granulomatous; South Asia; aspergillosis; immunocompetent.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillosis / pathology*
  • Aspergillosis / therapy*
  • Aspergillus flavus / isolation & purification
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / microbiology
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / surgery
  • Humans
  • Kidney / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney / microbiology
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / surgery
  • Male
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents