Pulmonary scedosporiosis in an intractable immunocompetent host: A case report and literature review.

Pulmonary scedosporiosis is a rare pulmonary infection that often presents with nonspecific symptoms and radiological findings. In this report, we present a case of localized pulmonary scedosporiosis in an immunocompetent patient and analyze a total of 25 immunocompetent patients with pulmonary scedosporiosis. Through this case and the literature, we highlight the importance of considering pulmonary scedosporiosis in patients with nonspecific clinical symptoms and radiological findings resembling aspergilloma. This case and the literature further emphasize the significance of surgical intervention. Regardless of the use of antifungal drugs, surgery should be conducted as soon as possible.

Radiological Diagnosis of Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

Imaging plays an important role in the various forms of Aspergillus-related pulmonary disease. Depending on the immune status of the patient, three forms are described with distinct imaging characteristics: invasive aspergillosis affecting severely immunocompromised patients, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis affecting less severely immunocompromised patients but suffering from a pre-existing structural lung disease, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis related to respiratory exposure to Aspergillus species in patients with asthma and cystic fibrosis. Computed tomography (CT) has been demonstrated more sensitive and specific than chest radiographs and its use has largely contributed to the diagnosis, follow-up, and evaluation of treatment in each condition. In the last few decades, CT has also been described in the specific context of cystic fibrosis. In this particular clinical setting, magnetic resonance imaging and the recent developments in artificial intelligence have shown promising results.

Different forms of pulmonary aspergillosis: A pictorial essay.

Pulmonary aspergillosis is a group of mycotic diseases affecting the lungs. The form of the disease mainly depends on the immune status of the patient and underlying conditions. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis usually affects immunocompromised patients - angio-invasive and airway-invasive forms are possible. Chronic aspergillosis usually appears in mildly immunosuppressed or immunocompetent patients with underlying structural lung changes and may have diverse forms: simple aspergilloma, chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis, chronic fibrosing pulmonary aspergillosis, subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, aspergillus nodules and endobronchial aspergilloma. Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is a hyper-reactivity reaction to Aspergillus species, and usually develops in asthma and cystic fibrosis patients. The aim of this article is to comprehensively overview different forms of aspergillosis, their symptoms and underlying conditions and to present imaging findings.

Lady Windermere syndrome with haemoptysis: suspected pulmonary aspergilloma and MAC pulmonary disease.

We present a case of a woman in her 70s, with a history of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease, pectus excavatum, s-shaped thoracolumbar scoliosis, bronchiectasis of the right middle lobe, lingula of left upper lobe, and malnutrition with low body mass index of 14 kg/m2, who presented to the hospital due to worsening shortness of breath and small volume haemoptysis over 2 weeks. The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary MAC infection for the first time in 1999 without known history of pulmonary disease. Later on, it was complicated by massive haemoptysis requiring bronchial artery embolisation; however, she was unable to complete an oral antibiotic regimen due to gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Chest CT identified a newly found mass in the left upper lobe bulla, consistent with a radiological finding of aspergilloma. We present a rare symptoms constellation, described as 'Lady Windermere syndrome' and chronic untreated MAC infection progressing from reticulonodular changes to fibrocavitary lung disease and suspected aspergilloma formation.

Pulmonary aspergillus infection with abnormal imaging successfully treated with omalizumab: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary aspergillosis is a pulmonary infectious disease that is clinically difficult to diagnose and treat. When the lower respiratory tract is invaded by Aspergillus, the clinical manifestations and imaging features vary among patients with different immune states. The use of antifungal drugs and glucocorticoids are important, but some patients do not respond satisfactorily to treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old female had a long history of asthma and poor symptom control, with long-term use of long-acting inhaled glucocorticoids combined with a long-acting ß2 receptor agonists (ICS + LABA) (salmeterol fluticasone inhalation powder). The ground glass shadow, tree-in-bud sign, and bronchiectasis in the middle lobe of the right lung and the lower lobe of both lungs were first detected by chest CT over 5 years ago. Atelectasis in the middle lobe of the right lung was detected over 3 years ago. Over 2 years ago, the patient was hospitalized and a repeat chest CT showed persistent atelectasis in the middle lobe of the right lung, and more lesions in bilateral lower lungs than before. Aspergillus fumigatus was detected in alveolar lavage fluid and sputum pathogenic culture, which confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis. After treatment with voriconazole and amphotericin B, the middle lobe of the right lung partially reopened, but the lesions in bilateral lower lungs persisted. After 21 weeks of treatment, the antifungal drugs were stopped because the patient refused to use oral/intravenous glucocorticoids, and omalizumab was finally chosen for treatment. After 1 month of treatment, the patient's clinical symptoms began to ease. After 1 year of treatment, imaging reexamination of lung showed that the lesions were completely cleared, accompanied by significant improvement in nutritional status and airway function. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the case of a patient with pulmonary Aspergillus infection who was treated with omalizumab and showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms and imaging abnormalities, which provides a new option for patients with pulmonary Aspergillus infection who show unsatisfactory response with first-line drugs.

Clinical Impact of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease and Role of Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis.

Objective Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is an important complication of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, its diagnosis is challenging, as both CPA and NTM-PD present as chronic cavitary disease. The present study evaluated the impact of CPA on the survival of patients with NTM-PD and revealed the key computed tomography findings for a prompt diagnosis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients newly diagnosed with NTM-PD in Tenri Hospital (Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, Japan) between January 2009 and March 2018; the patients were followed up until May 2021. Clinical and radiological characteristics were assessed, and patients with CPA were identified. Results A total of 611 patients were diagnosed with NTM-PD. Among them, 38 (6.2%), 102 (17%), and 471 (77%) patients were diagnosed with NTM-PD with CPA, cavitary NTM-PD without CPA, and non-cavitary NTM-PD without CPA, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the NTM-PD with CPA group (42.8%; 95% confidence interval: 28.7-64.0%) was lower than that of the cavitary NTM-PD without CPA group (74.4%; 95% confidence interval: 65.4-84.6%). A multivariate analysis revealed that fungal balls and cavities with adjacent extrapleural fat were significant predictive factors for NTM-PD with CPA. Conclusion NTM-PD with CPA patients exhibited a worse prognosis than cavitary NTM-PD without CPA patients. Therefore, an unerring diagnosis of CPA is essential for managing patients with NTM-PD. Computed tomography findings, such as fungal balls and cavities with adjacent extrapleural fat, may be valuable diagnostic clues when CPA is suspected in patients with NTM-PD.

Covid-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis with extensive cavitary pneumonia: A case report.

Covid-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) is a new entity and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Covid-19 is a pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive disease, provoking fungal infections, especially by Aspergillus species. We describe the case of a critically ill Covid-19 female patient, who was diagnosed with CAPA infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). She was given intravenous Remdesivir. Her chest X-ray a few days after admission showed multiple cavities. Her condition initially improved but deteriorated again, with worsening hypoxia and pneumothorax and multiple cavitary lesions on HRCT of the chest. Despite optimal treatment, she could not recover. Interestingly, she had no predisposing risk factor for pulmonary aspergillosis, such as chronic lung disease, diabetes or use of immunosuppressants such as Tocilizumab. CAPA is an emerging entity with worsening hypoxia, and failure to improve can be an early sign. Early identification and treatment can improve survival and outcomes in Covid-19 patients.

Imaging Spectrum in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a life-threatening respiratory fungal infection that is almost exclusively seen in patients with preexisting structural lung disease with no or mild immunosuppression. The clinical presentation and imaging findings are varied and often pose a diagnostic challenge; and the disease is often present for a long time before being correctly diagnosed. High-resolution chest computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice because it helps identify various forms of CPA, which can range from a simple aspergilloma and chronic cavitary form, to the subacute invasive and end-stage fibrotic form. The knowledge of the imaging features of this disease cannot be overemphasized because it can assist the clinician in reaching at an early diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy, thereby improving patient management and treatment outcome. Moreover, imaging also plays a pivotal role during follow-up in patients of CPA to assess the treatment response. In the current review, we present an illustrative review of radiologic patterns seen in various forms of CPA.

Chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis: Serial clinical and CT findings correlated with antifungal treatment and patient response.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (CCPA) is the most common form of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesise that by observing serial clinical and CT findings of CCPA patients with antifungal therapy, factors helping predict responses to antifungal therapy could be withdrawn. METHODS: A total of 31 patients with CCPA who received antifungal therapy for greater than six months and who had serial CT studies were included. Clinical finding analyses were performed at initial and last follow-up CT acquisition dates. Clinical characteristics and CT features were compared between clinically improving or stable and deteriorating groups. RESULTS: With antifungal therapy, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (2.66 vs. 5.12, p = .038) and serum albumin (4.40 vs. 3.85 g/dl, p = .013) and CRP (1.10 vs. 42.80 mg/L, p = .007) were different between two groups. With antifungal therapy, meaningful CT change, regardless of clinical response grouping, was decrease in cavity wall thickness (from 13.70 mm to 8.28 mm, p < .001). But baseline (p = .668) and follow-up (p = .278) cavity wall thickness was not different between two groups. In univariate analysis, initial maximum diameter of cavity (p = .028; HR [0.983], 95% CI [0.967-0.998]) and concurrent NTM infection (p = .030; HR [0.20], 95% CI [0.05-0.86]) were related factors for poor clinical response. CONCLUSIONS: With antifungal therapy, cavities demonstrate wall thinning. Of all clinical and radiological findings and their changes, initial large cavity size and concurrent presence of NTM infection are related factors to poor response to antifungal therapy.

Double Trouble: COVID-19 Pneumonia Concurrent With COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

INTRODUCTION: Severe complications due to COVID-19 are a growing concern. We present a case of COVID-19 pneumonia with development of a superimposed COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old unvaccinated male with a history of asthma and sleep apnea presented with progressive dyspnea 10 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. Worsening respiratory function despite broad-spectrum antibiotics and negative cultures prompted a repeat respiratory culture that revealed Aspergillus; voriconazole was initiated. DISCUSSION: The risk of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis is highest in patients who are immunosuppressed or who receive corticosteroids to treat COVID-19 infection. Subtle and atypical presentations can be seen; our patient had only mild leukocytosis and progressive dyspnea with a negative initial respiratory culture. COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis is associated with high morbidity and mortality; thus, prompt diagnosis and treatment may confer a survival benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the subtle presentation and variable radiographic findings in COVID-19- associated pulmonary aspergillosis, a low clinical threshold for workup is crucial to a timely diagnosis and treatment.