Complications of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis: review of published case reports

ABSTRACT Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA), a form of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), affects immunocompetent or mildly immunocompromised persons with underlying pulmonary disease. These conditions are associated with high morbidity and mortality and often require long-term antifungal treatment. The long-term prognosis for patients with CNPA and the potential complications of CNPA have not been well documented. The aim of this study was to review published papers that report cases of CNPA complications and to highlight risk factors for development of CNPA. The complications in conjunction associated with CNPA are as follows: pseudomembranous necrotizing tracheobronchial aspergillosis, ankylosing spondylarthritis, pulmonary silicosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease, superinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and and pneumothorax. The diagnosis of CNPA is still a challenge. Culture and histologic examinations of bronchoscopically identified tracheobronchial mucus plugs and necrotic material should be performed in all immunocompromised individuals, even when the radiographic findings are unchanged. Early detection of intraluminal growth of Aspergillus and prompt antifungal therapy may facilitate the management of these patients and prevent development of complications.

A Case of Mycobacterium szulgai Lung Disease in Patient with Healed Tuberculosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

Mycobacterium szulgai is a rare nontuberculous mycobacterium found in Korea. It is an opportunistic pathogen and is usually isolated from patients with a history of alcoholism, chronic pulmonary disease, or an immunocompromising condition. We present here a case of M. szulgai isolated from a patient with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. A 54-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea and febrile sensation. He had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis which occurred 30 years earlier and treatment with anti-tuberculosis medication. His chest computed tomography scan showed cavitary consolidation in both upper lungs. A sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear was positive and anti-tuberculous medication was started. However, a polymerase chain reaction for mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative and anti-tuberculous medication was stopped. M. szulgai was isolated on 3 separate sputum and bronchial wash fluid AFB cultures. He was treated with clarithromycin, rifampicin, and ethambutol. After 1 month, a sputum AFB smear and culture became negative and no additional M. szulgai were isolated during a 16-month treatment.

A Case of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis with pulmonary artery aneurysm / 결핵

Pulmonary aspergillosis is classified as a saprophytic, allergic, and invasive disease. Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is categorized as an invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Most invasive pulmonary aspergillosis have acute and toxic clinical features but chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is characterized by a sub-acute infection, most commonly seen in patients with altered local defense system from preexisting pulmonary disease of in mild immunocompromised patients. Pulmonary artery aneurysm due to this infection is termed as a mycotic aneurysm, etiology of which are tuberculosis, syphilis, bacteria and fungus. We report a case chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis complicating pulmonary aneurysm is a 62 year-old man who was presented with cough, sputum, and fever. Chest radiographs showed a rapid, progressive cavitary lesion and pulmonary artery aneurysm. Angioinvastion of aspergillus was revealed by pathology after operative removal of left upper lobe containing the pulmonary artery aneurysm. He was treated with itraconazole.