Coinfection with cryptococcus and aspergillus in an immunocompetent adult: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Sep;97(39):e12612. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000012612.

Abstract

Rationale: Aspergillus and Cryptococcus exposure can cause serious secondary infections in human lungs, especially in immunocompromised patients or in conjunction with a chronic disease caused by low disease resistance. Primary invasive fungal infections are clinically rare; therefore, coexistence of 2 fungi at an infection site is uncommon. This paper reports a case of healthy male who was diagnosed with both Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus infections.

Patient concerns: A healthy 33-year-old male office worker was admitted to the Second Hospital of Jilin University for hemoptysis. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a cavity, which was formed by the thick dorsal wall of the lower left lobe with an irregular inner wall and burr changes around the lesion.

Intervention: After 1.0 week of antibiotic and antituberculosis treatment, the hemoptysis symptoms remained. A resection of the left lower lobe was performed.

Diagnoses: The postoperative pathological reports indicated the presence of both Aspergillus and Cryptococcus. The 2 fungal lesions were separate but within the same location.

Outcomes: After treatment, the patient no longer had hemoptysis.

Lessons: The current study indicated that fungi can infect not only immunocompromised patients but also healthy people, and that there can be 2 separate fungal infections at the same infection site.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Aspergillosis / immunology
  • Coinfection*
  • Cryptococcosis / diagnosis*
  • Cryptococcosis / immunology
  • Cryptococcus neoformans*
  • Hemoptysis / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis*
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / immunology
  • Male