Disseminated Aspergillosis in the Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report and Literature Review

Mycopathologia. 2015 Oct;180(3-4):217-22. doi: 10.1007/s11046-015-9903-4. Epub 2015 May 29.

Abstract

Disseminated aspergillosis is very rare in immunocompetent hosts and is typically associated with a poor prognosis. We describe the case of a 66-year-old, immunocompetent man who developed pneumonia, endophthalmitis and probable spondylitis caused by Aspergillus species. The patient was successfully treated with antifungal drugs. We reviewed the English-language literature between 1980 and 2012 for disseminated aspergillosis cases in immunocompetent hosts, using the keywords "dissemin*" and "aspergillo*." Disseminated aspergillosis in immunocompetent hosts is very rare in the literature. However, awareness of possible dissemination of Aspergillus spp. is necessary in patients who have a probable lung lesion and in cases with unusual presentation of a disseminated infection, even if the patient has no risk factors.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Aspergillosis / pathology*
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification*
  • Endophthalmitis / complications
  • Endophthalmitis / diagnosis*
  • Endophthalmitis / drug therapy
  • Endophthalmitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / pathology
  • Male
  • Spondylitis / complications
  • Spondylitis / diagnosis*
  • Spondylitis / drug therapy
  • Spondylitis / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents