Disseminated invasive aspergillosis in an apparently immunocompetent host

Nadeem Sajjad Raja, Nishi Nihar Singh
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received: June 8, 2005 Revised: August 15, 2005 Accepted: September 16, 2005

Corresponding author: Dr Nadeem Sajjad Raja, Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia. E-mail:

Aspergillosis is a spectrum of diseases caused by members of the genus Aspergillus that continues to pose a significant threat to immunocompromised, organ transplant, neutropenic and cancer patients. In view of increasing risk factors leading to invasive aspergillosis, it is imperative for clinicians to be familiar with the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and management of the disease. We describe a 34-year-old immunocompetent male patient receiving chemotherapy for Aspergillus fumigatus infection that had disseminated to lung, liver and spleen. A computed tomogram of thorax and abdomen showed thick-walled cavities of different sizes with air fluid levels, consolidation in both lungs and involvement of liver and spleen. His broncheoalveolar lavage and sputum specimens yielded A. fumigatus. Successful treatment of this infection was achieved with amphotericin B and itraconazole.

Key words: Antifungal agents, aspergillosis, Aspergillus fumigatus, diagnosis, fungal lung diseases

J Microbiol Immunol Infect 2006;39:73-77.