Subacute Aspergillosis "Fungal Balls" Complicating COVID-19

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep. 2020 Jan-Dec:8:2324709620966475. doi: 10.1177/2324709620966475.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection (SARS-CoV-2), commonly known as COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019), began in the Wuhan District of Hubei Province, China. It is regarded as one of the worst pandemics, which has consumed both human lives and the world economy. COVID-19 infection mainly affects the lungs triggering severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, also providing a nidus for superimposed bacterial and fungal infections. We report the case of a 73-year-old male who presented with progressive dyspnea; diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2-related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and complicated with lung cavitations growing Aspergillus sp. COVID-19, to our knowledge, has rarely been associated with subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with aspergillomas. Subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis as a superimposed infection in patients with SARS-CoV-2 is a rare entity. By reporting this case, we would like to make the readers aware of this association.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; acute respiratory distress syndrome; infection; pulmonary aspergillosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aged
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / drug therapy
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / etiology*
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents