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.

The halo sign: HRCT findings in 85 patients / Sinal do halo: achados de TCAR em 85 pacientes

ABSTRACT Objective: The halo sign consists of an area of ground-glass opacity surrounding pulmonary lesions on chest CT scans. We compared immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients in terms of halo sign features and sought to identify those of greatest diagnostic value. Methods: This was a retrospective study of CT scans performed at any of seven centers between January of 2011 and May of 2015. Patients were classified according to their immune status. Two thoracic radiologists reviewed the scans in order to determine the number of lesions, as well as their distribution, size, and contour, together with halo thickness and any other associated findings. Results: Of the 85 patients evaluated, 53 were immunocompetent and 32 were immunosuppressed. Of the 53 immunocompetent patients, 34 (64%) were diagnosed with primary neoplasm. Of the 32 immunosuppressed patients, 25 (78%) were diagnosed with aspergillosis. Multiple and randomly distributed lesions were more common in the immunosuppressed patients than in the immunocompetent patients (p < 0.001 for both). Halo thickness was found to be greater in the immunosuppressed patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Etiologies of the halo sign differ markedly between immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Although thicker halos are more likely to occur in patients with infectious diseases, the number and distribution of lesions should also be taken into account when evaluating patients presenting with the halo sign.

RESUMO Objetivo: O sinal do halo consiste em uma área de opacidade em vidro fosco ao redor de lesões pulmonares em imagens de TC de tórax. Pacientes imunocompetentes e imunodeprimidos foram comparados quanto a características do sinal do halo a fim de identificar as de maior valor diagnóstico. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo de tomografias realizadas em sete centros entre janeiro de 2011 e maio de 2015. Os pacientes foram classificados de acordo com seu estado imunológico. Dois radiologistas torácicos analisaram os exames a fim de determinar o número de lesões e sua distribuição, tamanho e contorno, bem como a espessura do halo e quaisquer outros achados associados. Resultados: Dos 85 pacientes avaliados, 53 eram imunocompetentes e 32 eram imunodeprimidos. Dos 53 pacientes imunocompetentes, 34 (64%) receberam diagnóstico de neoplasia primária. Dos 32 pacientes imunodeprimidos, 25 (78%) receberam diagnóstico de aspergilose. Lesões múltiplas e distribuídas aleatoriamente foram mais comuns nos imunodeprimidos do que nos imunocompetentes (p < 0,001 para ambas). A espessura do halo foi maior nos imunodeprimidos (p < 0,05). Conclusões: As etiologias do sinal do halo em pacientes imunocompetentes são bastante diferentes das observadas em pacientes imunodeprimidos. Embora halos mais espessos ocorram mais provavelmente em pacientes com doenças infecciosas, o número e a distribuição das lesões também devem ser levados em conta na avaliação de pacientes que apresentem o sinal do halo.

Aspergilosis invasora pulmonar en paciente con leucemia mieloide aguda en quimioterapia / Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with leukemia acute myeloid chemotherapy

Se reporta un caso clínico de un paciente masculino de 65 años, que ingresó al hospital por cuadro de 10 días de evolución, con sospecha clí- nica y de laboratorio de un síndrome mieloproliferativo. Estudiado por hematología, se confirmó Leucemia Mieloide Aguda M5. Se inició quimioterapia de inducción. El paciente evolucionó con pancitopenia, destacando neutropenia severa hasta 200 /mm3, febril y sin foco precisado. Se trató con antibióticos de amplio espectro por 10 días con buena respuesta. Cinco días después de finalizar su tratamiento antibiótico, nuevamente comenzó con fiebre, alza de parámetros inflamatorios, neutropenia severa y clínica de foco respiratorio. Se realizó Tomografía Computada (TC) de tórax y galactomanano en sangre, ambos compatibles con aspergilosis pulmonar, por lo que se inició tratamiento con voriconazol. El paciente evolucionó con buena respuesta clínica y de laboratorio, mejoría de imá- genes del TC de tórax y negativización de galactomanano. Al mes cedió la pancitopenia. Fue dado de alta en buenas condiciones generales, con indicación de volver a hospitalizar para quimioterapia de consolidación.

A report of a clinical case of a male patient aged 65 is presented. He entered to the hospital for 10 days evolution box with clinical and laboratory suspicion of a myeloproliferative syndrome. Studied by hematology, acute myeloid leukemia M5 was confirmed. induction chemotherapy began. The patient developed pancytopenia, highlighting severe neutropenia up to 200 / mm3, fever and without pointed focus. He was treated with broadspectrum antibiotics for 10 days with good response. Five days after finishing his antibiotic treatment began with fever again, rising inflammatory parameters, neutropenia and severe respiratory clinical focus. Computed Tomography (CT) of the chest and blood galactomannan was realized, both were compatible with pulmonary aspergillosis, starting treatment with voriconazole. The patient developed good both clinical and laboratory, improvement in chest CT images and negativization galactomannan response. Month later yielded pancytopenia. He was discharged in good general condition, indicating again been hospitalized for consolidation chemotherapy.

Aspergilosis necrotizante crónica en un paciente con secuelas de tuberculosis pulmonar / Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis in a patient with pulmonary tuberculosis sequelae

Aspergillus fumigatus is the causative agent of differents pathologies in the human being: aspergilloma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, chronic necrotizing aspergillosis and invasive aspergillosis. In chronic necrotizing aspergillosis there is local invasion of the lung tissue and parenchyma destruction. Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis is different from invasive aspergillosis, because the abscence of vascular invasion or dissemination. Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis is seen in middle-aged and elderly with underlying lung diseases: COPD, tuberculosis sequelae, lung resection, pneumoconiosis, radiotherapy, lung infarction or sarcoidosis. Clinical manifestations are non specific, being the most usual fever, cough, sputum production and weight loss. Incidence of chronic necrotizing aspergillosis is unknown in Chile. Chronic necrotizing aspergillosis can produce death. It requires early diagnosis and treatment. In a patient with a predisposing disease and with prolonged fever and consuntive status, diagnosis of chronic necrotizing aspergillosis should be considered. We present a patient with chronic necrotizing aspergillosis attended at Instituto Nacional del Tórax (Thorax National Institute) in Santiago.

Aspergillus fumigatus puede causar diferentes patologías en el ser humano: aspergiloma, aspergilosis broncopulmonar alérgica, aspergilosis necrotizante crónica, aspergilosis invasora. En la aspergilosis necrotizante crónica hay invasión local del parénquima y destrucción. A diferencia de la aspergilosis invasora no invade vasos sanguíneos ni se disemina a otros órganos. La aspergilosis necrotizante crónica se presenta en pacientes de edad media o ancianos con patología pulmonar previa: EPOC, secuelas de tuberculosis, resección pulmonar, neumoconiosis, radioterapia, infarto pulmonar o sarcoidosis. La clínica es indolente e inespecífica, con fiebre, tos, expectoración y baja de peso. Se desconoce la incidencia de aspergilosis necrotizante crónica en nuestro medio. La aspergilosis necrotizante crónica es potencialmente fatal, por lo que requiere de un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportuno. Creemos que, debe considerarse esta entidad ante un cuadro consuntivo y febril prolongado, en pacientes con enfermedades predisponentes que producen una leve baja de la inmunidad. Describimos el caso de un paciente atendido en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax.