Invasive aspergillosis: A comprehensive review.

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a severe fungal infection caused by Aspergillus species, particularly Aspergillus fumigatus, although new species, sometimes resistant to antifungals are becoming more common. IA predominantly affects immunocompromised patients, such as those with haematological malignancies, solid organ transplant recipients, and critically ill patients. However, new at-risk populations have emerged in recent years, such as IA associated with severe viral infections. Advanced diagnostic methods are crucial, especially considering the rising concern of antifungal resistance. Early detection is critical for successful treatment, typically involving antifungal medications like voriconazole or amphotericin B, but new antifungals are arriving to complete the therapeutic strategies. Despite advancements, mortality rates remain high, underscoring the importance of timely interventions and ongoing research. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion, especially in immunocompromised patients and other new risk factors that are arising, to promptly diagnose and manage invasive aspergillosis.

Aspergilosis pulmonar crónica en asociación con tuberculosis activa: reporte de un caso

La aspergilosis es una infección fúngica causada por el microorganismo Aspergillus spp. Las manifestaciones clínicas dependen del estado inmunológico del paciente y de las alteraciones estructurales del parénquima pulmonar. Pese a su baja incidencia, siempre se debe considerar como diagnóstico diferencial en el contexto de pacientes con enfermedades pulmonares de base. Se presenta un caso de hombre de 66 años, agricultor, con antecedente de tuberculosis pulmonar y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, quien consultó por cuadro de 5 meses de disnea progresiva, fiebre, tos, hemoptisis y pérdida de peso. Los hallazgos imagenológicos fueron sugestivos de tuberculosis pulmonar asociado a aspergiloma, lo que fue confirmado por tinción de hidróxido de potasio (KOH) y cultivo de hongos positivo para Aspergillus fumigatus. El Gene Xpert fue positivo para Mycobacterium tuberculosis demostrando coinfección activa.

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by the microorganism Aspergillus spp. Clinical manifestations depend on the patient's immune status and structural alterations of the lung parenchyma. Despite its low incidence, it should always be considered as a differential diagnosis in the context of patients with underlying lung diseases. We present the case of a 66-year-old male farmer, with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, who presented with progressive dyspnea months, fever, cough, hemoptysis and weight loss for 5 months. Imaging findings were suggestive of aspergiloma- associated pulmonary tuberculosis, which was confirmed by potassium hydroxide (KOH) staining and positive fungal culture for Aspergillus fumigatus. Gene Xpert was positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis showing active co-infection.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Aspergillus and Salmonella after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment: An unusual case and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising new treatment for different types of cancer. The infectious complications in patients taking ICIs are rare. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old male who received chemotherapy consisting of pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) for esophagus squamous cell carcinoma one month before was admitted to the emergency room with shortness of breath soon after fiberoptic bronchoscopy, which was done for the inspection of the lower airway. A computed tomography of the chest revealed a progressive consolidation on the right upper lobe. Salmonella group D was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid culture. The fungal culture of the same clinical sample yielded Aspergillus niger; furthermore, a high titer (above the cut-off values) of Aspergillus antigen was found both in the BAL fluid and serum of the patient. Despite the effective spectrum and appropriate dose of antimicrobial treatment, the patient died due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of unusual pathogens in the etiology of pneumonia after ICI treatment may help to avoid underdiagnosis.

Necrotizing pneumonia due to Aspergillus and Salmonella after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment: An unusual case and review of the literature / Neumonía necrotizante por Aspergillus y Salmonella tras tratamiento con un inhibidor de puntos de control inmunitario: un caso inusual y revisión de la literatura

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are a promising new treatment for different types of cancer. The infectious complications in patients taking ICIs are rare. Case report: A 58-year-old male who received chemotherapy consisting of pembrolizumab (PD-1 inhibitor) for esophagus squamous cell carcinoma one month before was admitted to the emergency room with shortness of breath soon after fiberoptic bronchoscopy, which was done for the inspection of the lower airway. A computed tomography of the chest revealed a progressive consolidation on the right upper lobe. Salmonella group D was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid culture. The fungal culture of the same clinical sample yielded Aspergillus niger; furthermore, a high titer (above the cut-off values) of Aspergillus antigen was found both in the BAL fluid and serum of the patient. Despite the effective spectrum and appropriate dose of antimicrobial treatment, the patient died due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Conclusions: Awareness of unusual pathogens in the etiology of pneumonia after ICI treatment may help to avoid underdiagnosis.(AU)

Antecedentes: Los fármacos inhibidores de puntos de control inmunitario (ICI) son una nueva y prometedora opción de tratamiento para diferentes tipos de cáncer. Las complicaciones infecciosas en pacientes que toman ICI son poco frecuentes. Caso clínico: Un varón de 58 años que recibió quimioterapia con pembrolizumab (inhibidor de PD-1) para un carcinoma de células escamosas de esófago hacía un año, ingresó en Urgencias por dificultad respiratoria poco después de realizarse una broncoscopia de fibra óptica para una inspección de las vías aéreas inferiores. La tomografía computarizada de tórax reveló una consolidación progresiva en el lóbulo superior derecho. Se aisló Salmonella grupo D en el cultivo del líquido de lavado broncoalveolar (LBA). En el cultivo de hongos de la misma muestra creció Aspergillus niger; además, se detectó antígeno (por encima de los valores de corte) de Aspergillus tanto en la muestra del LBA como en el suero del paciente. A pesar del espectro eficaz y la dosis adecuada del antifúngico utilizado, el paciente falleció debido a una coagulopatía intravascular diseminada. Conclusiones: El conocimiento de patógenos inusuales en la etiología de la neumonía tras el tratamiento con ICI puede ayudar a evitar el infradiagnóstico.(AU)

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of galactomannan from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

BACKGROUND: Several studies to evaluate the accuracy of galactomannan (GM) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as a diagnostic tool have been carried out; however, there are still controversies about the optimal cut-off point of BALF GM. AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and the optimal cut-off point on BALF GM from patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a tertiary care hospital. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with 188 patients (≥18 years) that had undergone a bronchoscopy with BAL due to suspected IPA was carried out. IPA was diagnosed according to the EORTC/MSG guidelines. RESULTS: The optimal optical density cut-off point for BALF GM was 0.67, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%, 70%, 32.3%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: BALF GM detection proved to be a useful supplementary technique in the early diagnosis of IPA in both neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients.

Evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of galactomannan from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

Background:Several studies to evaluate the accuracy of galactomannan (GM) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as a diagnostic tool have been carried out; however, there are still controversies about the optimal cut-off point of BALF GM.Aims:The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and the optimal cut-off point on BALF GM from patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a tertiary care hospital.Methods:A cross-sectional study with 188 patients (≥18 years) that had undergone a bronchoscopy with BAL due to suspected IPA was carried out. IPA was diagnosed according to the EORTC/MSG guidelines.Results:The optimal optical density cut-off point for BALF GM was 0.67, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 100%, 70%, 32.3%, and 100%, respectively.Conclusions:BALF GM detection proved to be a useful supplementary technique in the early diagnosis of IPA in both neutropenic and non-neutropenic patients. (AU)

Antecedentes:Diversos estudios han evaluado la precisión del galactomanano (GM) como herramienta diagnóstica en el líquido de lavado broncoalveolar (LBA); sin embargo, todavía existen controversias sobre el punto de corte óptimo de LBA GM.Objetivos:El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la precisión diagnóstica y el punto de corte óptimo en LBA GM de pacientes con sospecha de aspergilosis pulmonar invasora (API) en un hospital de tercer nivel.Métodos:Se realizó un estudio transversal en el que fueron incluidos 188 pacientes (≥18años) a los que se les había realizado una broncoscopia con LBA por sospecha de API. La API se diagnosticó de acuerdo con las guías EORTC/MSG.Resultados:El punto de corte óptimo para el valor densidad óptica de LBA GM fue de 0,67, con sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y valor predictivo negativo del 100%, 70%, 32,3% y 100%, respectivamente. (AU)ConclusionesLa detección de GM en LBA demostró ser un procedimiento útil en el diagnóstico precoz de la API, tanto en pacientes neutropénicos como en no neutropénicos.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19.

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of Galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1 mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio por COVID-19 / Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19

Los pacientes con COVID-19 que ingresan en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), tienen un alto riesgo de desarrollar infecciones secundarias, incluyendo infecciones fúngicas invasivas como aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva (API). El objetivo principal fue el análisis de los casos con sospecha de COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) en nuestra unidad. En estos pacientes realizamos cultivo micológico en el lavado broncoalveolar como métodos de aislamiento de Aspergillus sp. Se siguió el algoritmo AspICU para establecer el diagnóstico de API probable. Además, considerando también relevante la positividad del antígeno de galactomanano. Se confirmó API probable en 3 de ellos. Los 3 pacientes permanecieron ingresados más de 21 días por SDRA grave, y recibieron corticoterapia (1mg/kg/día). Por tanto, la CAPA se debe considerar de forma sistemática, aunque se necesita un nuevo algoritmo diagnóstico que permita tratamiento precoz por las consecuencias deletéreas que puede implicar en los pacientes críticos.(AU)

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.(AU)

Factores de Riesgo de Mortalidad en Pacientes Hematológicos con Aspergilosis Pulmonar en Clínica Médica Instituto de Previsión Social - Hospital Central. Año 2016 A 2018

ResumenIntroducción: Es una de las infecciones oportunistas de mayor impacto en el paciente con patologías hematooncológicas, su detección precoz y tratamiento oportuno impide su diseminación. Objetivo: Determinar factores de riesgo de mortalidad en pacientes hematológicos con aspergilosis pulmonar de pacientes internados en clínica médica en el Instituto de Previsión Social del Hospital Central durante 2016 a 2018. Metodología: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal, se incluyó a pacientes con patologías hematooncológicas e infección por aspergillus internados por un periodo de tres años. Resultados: Se incluyó a 55 pacientes, con edad promedio de 57,2±19,5 años. El 36,3% con edades comprendidas entre 40 a 59 años. 52,8% fue sexo femenino. 56,3% presentó hipertensión arterial. 27,2% linfoma no Hodking. 34,5% se encontraba en fase de mantenimiento al momento del diagnóstico de aspergilosis pulmonar. Respecto al grado de neutropenia el 34,7% presentó neutropenia severa. El 83,6% fue diagnosticado a traves de TACAR y galactomanano. El tiempo de inicio de síntomas hasta el momento del diagnóstico en promedio de días fue de 12,4±4,7 días. 38,1% presentó esputo con aislamiento positivo. Del tratamiento antifúngicos el 78,2% recibió anfotericina B y 21,8% Voriconazol. En relación a la evolución clínica 50,9% fueron alta, el 25,45% requirieron de Unidad de cuidados intensivos, 23,6%obitaron. Conclusión: Las aspergilosis pulmonar se presentó con predominio femenino, la mayoría se encontraba con neutropenia severa en fase de mantenimiento quimioterápico, dos tercios fue tratado con anfotericina B y la mitad fue dado de alta médica.

AbstractIntroduction: It is one of the opportunistic infections with the greatest impact on the patient with hemato-oncological pathologies, its early detection and timely treatment prevents its spread. Objective: To determine risk factors for mortality in hematological patients with pulmonary aspergillosis of patients hospitalized in a medical clinic at the Social Security Institute of the Central Hospital during 2016 to 2018. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study included patients with hemato-oncological pathologies and infection by aspergillus hospitalized for a period of three years. Results: 55 patients were included, with an average age of 57.2 ± 19.5 years. 36.3% with ages between 40 to 59 years. 52.8% were female. 56.3% presented hypertension. 27.2% non-Hodking lymphoma. 34.5% were in the maintenance phase at the time of pulmonary aspergillosis diagnosis. Regarding the degree of neutropenia, 34.7% presented severe neutropenia. 83.6% were diagnosed through TACAR and galactomannan. Symptom onset time until diagnosis on average days was 12.4 ± 4.7 days. 38.1% presented sputum with positive isolation. Of the antifungal treatment, 78.2% received amphotericin B and 21.8% Voriconazole. In relation to the clinical evolution, 50.9% were high, 25.45% required an intensive care unit, 23.6% obliged. Conclusion: Pulmonary aspergillosis presented with a female predominance, the majority were with severe neutropenia in the phase of chemotherapy maintenance, two thirds were treated with amphotericin B and half were discharged medically.

Neumonía por coinfección de Aspergillus fumigatus y Pneumocystis jirovecii en un paciente no VIH: Reporte de caso / Pneumonia due to Aspergillus fumigatus and Pneumocystis jirovecii coinfection in a non-HIV- infected patient: Case report

RESUMEN La aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva es una enfermedad presente principalmente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos con alta carga de mortalidad. La neumonía por Pneumocystis jirovecii es una infección oportunista potencialmente mortal que afecta a pacientes inmunocomprometidos por diversas etiologías. La coinfección por estos patógenos en pacientes inmunocompetentes es inusual. Reportamos un caso de un paciente sin las causas tradicionales de inmunocompromiso en el desarrollo de una neumonía en coinfección por Aspergillus fumigatus y Pneumocystis jirovecii.

ABSTRACT Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a condition that mainly occurs in immunosuppressed patients, and it has a high mortality rate. Pneumonia caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii is a potentially lethal opportunistic infection affecting immunosuppressed patients with different etiology. Coinfection by Aspergillus and P. jirovecii in immunocompetent patients is unusual. We report a case of a patient with no common causes of immunosuppression who developed pneumonia coinfection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and Pneumocystis jirovecii.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19. / Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio por COVID-19.

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

[Individualized antifungal therapy in critically ill patients with invasive fungal infection]. / Tratamiento antifúngico individualizado en el paciente crítico con infección fúngica invasora.

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is the most common invasive fungal infection (IFI) affecting critically ill patients, followed by invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). International guidelines provide different recommendations for a first-line antifungal therapy and, in most of them, echinocandins are considered the first-line treatment for IC, and triazoles are so for the treatment of IPA. However, liposomal amphotericinB (L-AmB) is still considered a second-line therapy for both clinical entities. Although in the last decade the management of IFI has improved, several controversies persist. The antifungal drugs currently available may have a suboptimal activity, or be wrongly used in certain IFI involving critically ill patients. The aim of this review is to analyze when to provide individualized antifungal therapy to critically ill patients suffering from IFI, emphasizing the role of L-AmB. Drug-drug interactions, the clinical status, infectious foci (peritoneal candidiasis is discussed), the fungal species involved, and the need of monitoring the concentration of the antifungal drug in the patient are considered.

Enfoque del paciente con cavitación pulmonar / Approach to the patient with lung cavitation / Enfoque do paciente com cavitação pulmonar

Cavitation is a common finding in lung images, secondary to infectious, inflammatory, tumor, and autoimmune conditions, the former being the most common cause in all levels of care and geography. The diagnostic approach must be judicious, integrating the image, with the patient's medical history, personal history, and exposures, as well as the time of evolution of the symptoms; which are key elements for the approach. It is always essential to integrate the clinical findings with the laboratory and the pathology in order to reach an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, since the isolated image is not enough, given the multiple etiologies described and variety of presentation that make this radiological sign only a premise to the confirmation of an underlying disease.

Una cavitación es un hallazgo común en imágenes pulmonares, secundaria a condiciones infecciosas, inflamatorias, tumorales y autoinmunes, siendo las primeras la causa más común en todos los niveles de atención y geográficos. El abordaje diagnóstico debe ser riguroso, integrando la imagen con la historia clínica del paciente, sus antecedentes personales y exposiciones, así como el tiempo de evolución de los síntomas; estos son elementos clave para el enfoque. Siempre es fundamental integrar los hallazgos clínicos con el laboratorio y la patología para llegar a un diagnóstico preciso y a un tratamiento oportuno, pues la imagen aislada no es suficiente, dadas las múltiples etiologías descritas y la variedad de presentación que hacen de este signo radiológico solo una premisa a la confirmación de una enfermedad subyacente.

Uma cavitação é uma descoberta comum em imagens pulmonares, secundária a condições infecciosas, inflamatórias, tumorais e autoimunes, sendo as primeiras a causa mais comum em todos os níveis de atenção e geográficos. A abordagem diagnóstica deve ser rigorosa, integrando a imagem com a história clínica do paciente, seus antecedentes pessoais e exposições, assim como o tempo de evolução dos sintomas; estes são elementos chave para o enfoque. Sempre é fundamental integrar as descobertas clínicas com o laboratório e a patologia para chegar a um diagnóstico preciso e a um tratamento oportuno, pois a imagem isolada não é suficiente, dadas as múltiplas etiologias descritas e a variedade de apresentação que fazem deste signo radiológico só uma premissa à confirmação de uma doença subjacente.

Necrosis pulmonar masiva por micosis / Massive pulmonary necrosis due to mycosis

Introducción: La aspergilosis es una infección micótica oportunista que se presenta fundamentalmente en pacientes inmunodeprimidos y su principal fuente de transmisión lo constituyen las esporas presentes en el aire de salones de operaciones y unidades de cuidados intensivos. Objetivo: Presentar un caso de una micosis pulmonar masiva por una variante angioinvasiva de Aspergillus. Caso clínico: Se presenta un paciente con aspergilosis pulmonar grave, diagnosticada después de la resección de un tumor mediastinal. Se describen las características de la primera intervención, la evolución postoperatoria que condujo a la segunda, se muestran las imágenes tomográficas, quirúrgicas, microbiológicas y anátomo-patológicas que permitieron definir el diagnóstico. Conclusiones: La posibilidad de una micosis pulmonar debe tenerse en cuenta, aun cuando sea una afección rara y de manejo difícil, en pacientes inmunodeprimidos, con condensación pulmonar rebelde al tratamiento(AU)

Introduction: Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that occurs mainly in immunosuppressed patients and its main source of transmission is the spores present in the air of operating rooms and intensive care units. Objective: To present a case of a massive pulmonary mycosis due to an angioinvasive variant of Aspergillus. Clinical case: A patient with severe pulmonary aspergillosis, diagnosed after resection of a mediastinal tumor, is presented. The characteristics of the first intervention are described, the postoperative evolution that led to the second one, the tomographic, surgical, microbiological and anatomo-pathological images that allowed to define the diagnosis are shown. Conclusions: The possibility of a pulmonary mycosis should be taken into account, even when it is a rare and difficult-to-handle condition, in immunocompromised patients, with pulmonary condensation that is rebellious to treatment. Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that occurs mainly in immunosuppressed patients and its main source of transmission is the spores present in the air of operating rooms and intensive care units(AU)

Diagnóstico de un caso inusual de micetoma por Aspergillus / Diagnosis of an unusual case of Mycetoma due to Aspergillus

Introducción: Las aspergilosis comprenden un amplio y heterogéneo grupo de enfermedades oportunistas causadas por hongos del género Aspergillus, considerados como una causa inusual de infección. Es la causa más frecuente de muerte por neumonía infecciosa e infección diseminada o respiratoria oportunista, en pacientes inmunocomprometidos. Objetivos: Describir las características clínicas de un caso inusual de aspergilosis pulmonar. Caso clínico: Paciente de 56 años de edad con antecedentes personales de hepatopatía alcohólica, ingresado por episodios de expectoración con sangre y tos seca. Se realizaron estudios de laboratorio, imagenológicos y anatomopatológicos que condujeron al diagnóstico de micetoma por Aspergillus fumigatus, lo cual posibilitó indicar el tratamiento adecuado y realizar el seguimiento clínico. Conclusiones: La infección por Aspergillus fumigatus debe ser considerada por el médico de cabecera, debido a que su reporte constituye una herramienta para que pueda establecer una terapéutica temprana y adecuada, dada sus implicaciones pronósticas, su morbilidad y mortalidad en pacientes inmunodeprimidos(AU)

Introduction: Aspergillosis comprises a wide and heterogeneous group of opportunistic diseases caused by fungi of the Aspergillus genus, considered as an unusual cause of infection. It is the most frequent cause of death from infectious pneumonia and disseminated or opportunistic respiratory infection in immunocompromised patients. Objectives: Describe the clinical characteristics of an unusual case of pulmonary aspergillosis. Case report: 56-year-old patient with a personal history of alcoholic liver disease, admitted due to episodes of expectoration with blood and dry cough. Laboratory, imaging, and pathological studies were conducted that led to the diagnosis of mytoma by Aspergillus fumigatus, which made it possible to indicate the appropriate treatment and perform clinical follow-up. Conclusions: Aspergillus fumigatus infection should be considered by the attending physician, because his report constitutes a tool for him to establish an early and adequate therapy, given its prognostic implications and for its morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients(AU)

Clinical factors associated with pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. / Factores clínicos asociados a enfermedad pulmonar por Aspergillus spp. en pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with Aspergillus spp. isolation from respiratory samples, and to identify which factors may help us to distinguish between colonisation and infection. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. All patients with COPD and respiratory isolation of Aspergillus spp. over a 12-year period were included. Patients were assigned to 2 categories: colonisation and pulmonary aspergillosis (PA), which includes the different clinical forms of aspergillosis. A binary logistic regression model was performed to identify the predictive factors of PA. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients were included in the study: 48 (39.0%) with colonisation and 75 (61.0%) with PA: 68 with probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and 7 with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Spirometric stages of the GOLD classification were not correlated with a higher risk of PA. Four independent predictive factors of PA in COPD patients were identified: home oxygen therapy (OR: 4.39; 95% CI: 1.60-12.01; P=.004), bronchiectasis (OR: 3.61; 95% CI: 1.40-9.30; P=.008), hospital admission in the previous three months (OR: 3.12; 95% CI: 1.24-7.87; P=.016) and antifungal therapy against Candida spp. in the previous month (OR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.16-8.73; P=.024). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous home oxygen therapy, bronchiectasis, hospital admission in the previous three months and administration of antifungal medication against Candida spp. in the previous month were associated with a higher risk of pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with COPD.

Secuestro pulmonar intralobar y aspergilosis pulmonar: reporte de un caso / Intralobar pulmonary sequestration and pulmonary aspergilosis: a case report

El secuestro pulmonar es un tipo de malformación congénita pulmonar poco frecuente, con presentación clínica variable y de usual diagnóstico durante la infancia. Puede coexistir con otras patologías pulmonares, principalmente de tipo infecciosas y su manejo definitivo es mediante un procedimiento quirúrgico. Se presenta el caso de una paciente adulta con secuestro pulmonar, asociado a una infección fúngica, manejada con cirugía mínimamente invasiva

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare type of congenital pulmonary malformation, with variable clinical presentation and usually diagnosed during childhood. It can coexist with other pulmonary pathologies, mainly infectious, and its definitive management is through a surgical procedure. We present the case of an adult patient with pulmonary sequestration associated with a fungal infection, managed with minimally invasive surgery

Aspergilosis pulmonar / Pulmonary aspergillosis

La secuencia imagenológica que se presenta corresponde a una aspergilosis pulmonar (figura 1), diagnosticada a una mujer blanca de 44 años con historia de hipotiroidismo, con un cuadro respiratorio de dos meses de evolución, dado por tos productiva -con expectoración con estrias de sangre- y molestias faríngeas, negando falta de aire u otro síntoma.En el panel A se observa, en la radiografía posteroanterior de tórax, una imagen cavitaria parahiliar a la derecha. En el panel B se verifica la existencia de esa imagen mediante la tomografía axial computarizada simple de pulmón. La broncoscopia con lavado broncoalveolar confirmó el diagnóstico de aspergilosis pulmonar, enfermedad que se desarrolla generalmente en una cavidad pulmonar preexistente causada por tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronquiectasias, quistes bronquiales, bulas, neoplasias e infartos pulmonares(AU)

Identificación molecular de Aspergillus fumigatus aislados de pacientes con aspergilosis invasiva / Molecular identification of Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from patients with invasive aspergillosis

RESUMEN El objetivo del estudio fue identificar molecularmente cepas de aspergillus aislados de pacientes con aspergilosis invasiva (AI), que fueron tipificadas primariamente como Aspergillus fumigatus sensu lato por métodos fenotípicos convencionales. Se trabajó con 20 cepas de la micoteca de la sección de micología del Instituto de Medicina Tropical "Daniel A. Carrión". Para obtener el ADN fúngico se emplearon las técnicas de choque térmico, tratamiento enzimático y columnas de silica-gel; y se almacenó a -20 0C para conservarlo. En el procedimiento de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (qPCR) se incluyeron primers marcados con fluorocromo, los cuales amplificaron las secuencias específicas de A. fumigatus. La fluorescencia se midió con el termociclador al final de la fase de hibridación de cada ciclo. Se identificó molecularmente que sólo el 50% de las cepas estudiadas pertenecen a la especie Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto.

ABSTRACT The objective of the study was to identify molecularly-isolated strains of Aspergillus from patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA); these strains were primarily typed as Aspergillus fumigatus sensu lato by conventional phenotypic methods. We worked with 20 strains from the mycology section of the Institute of Tropical Medicine "Daniel A. Carrión." To obtain the fungal DNA, thermal shock, enzymatic treatment, and silica gel column techniques were used; and it was stored at -20°C to preserve it. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) procedure included fluorochrome-labeled primers, which amplified the specific sequences of A. fumigatus. Fluorescence was measured with the thermocycler at the end of the hybridization phase of each cycle. It was molecularly-identified that only 50% of the strains studied belong to the species Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto.

Aspergiloma pulmonar en paciente con síndrome de sobreposición: Reporte de caso / Pulmonary aspergiloma in patient with overposition syndrome: Case ́s report / Aspergiloma pulmonar em paciente com síndrome de sobreposição: Relato de caso

Introducción. La infección por Aspergillus spp. representa un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico para el clínico, puesto que existe un número aproximado de 180 especies. El pulmón es el principal órgano afectado por el Aspergillus debido a la alta capacidad esporulativa de este hongo y a que sus conidias son lo suficientemente pequeñas para poder alcanzar el alveolo. Caso. Mujer de 41 años de edad con antecedente de lupus eritematoso sistémico, ingresó con un cuadro de disfagia, en el cual se confirmó la presencia de síndrome de sobreposición mediante perfil inmunológico. Posteriormente, mediante estudio imagenológico, realizado por tener tos y disnea, se encontró la presencia de una masa ovoidea en hemitórax derecho y al realizar una fibrobroncoscopia se evidenció que dicha lesión era compatible con un aspergiloma, por lo que se dio manejo antifún-gico con una evolución clínica adecuada.Conclusión. El aspergiloma se presenta como una masa voluminosa constituida por filamentos mi-celiales, la cual se puede confundir con múltiples patologías principalmente de tipo tumoral, por lo que es necesario realizar biopsia de la misma

Introduction. For clinicians, Aspergillus spp. infection represents a diagnostic and therapeutic cha-llenge, since there are around of 180 species. Lung is the main affected organ by Aspergillus infection due to the high sporulative capacity of this fungus, and because its conidia are small, enough to reach the alveolus. Case. A 41-years-old patient with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus, was admitted with dysphagia, and an immunological pool confirmed the presence of an overlap syndrome. Later, due to symptoms of cough and dyspnea, an ovoid mass was found by imaging and fibrobronchoscopy, which showed that this lesion was compatible with aspergilloma, so antifungal therapy was given with an adequate clinical progression. Conclusions. Aspergilloma is a voluminous mass constituted by mycelial filaments, which can be confused with multiple pathologies, mainly of the tumor type, which is why it is necessary to perform a biopsy of it.

Introdução. As infecções causadas pelo fungo Aspergillus spp. representam um desafio diagnóstico e terapêutico para o clínico, uma vez que existe um número aproximado de 180 espécies. O pulmão é o principal órgão afetado por Aspergillus devido à alta capacidade esporulativa deste fungo, pois seus conídios são pequenos o suficiente para atingir o alvéolo.Caso. Mulher de 41 anos com história de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico, foi admitida com disfagia, a presença da síndrome de sobreposição foi confirmada pelo perfil imunológico. Posteriormente, por meio de um estudo de imagem, realizado devido à tosse e dispnéia, foi encontrada presença de massa ovóide no hemitórax direito e, ao realizar uma fibrobroncoscopia, foi demonstrado que a lesão era compatível com um aspergiloma, de modo que o manejo antifúngico foi dado com uma evolução clínica adequada.Conclusão. O aspergiloma é apresentado como uma massa volumosa constituída por filamentos mi-celiais, que podem ser confundidos com múltiples patologias principalmente do tipo tumoral, sendo necessária a realização de uma biópsia do mesmo