Pulmonary colonization by Chrysosporium zonatum associated with allergic inflammation in an immunocompetent subject

We report a case of noninvasive pulmonary disease due to Chrysosporium zonatum in an immunocompetent male. The fungus colonized an existing tuberculous cavity and was isolated from transbronchial lavage fluid and from a percutaneous aspiration specimen. The disease was accompanied by the unusual feature of an allergic reaction. The fungus ball was successfully treated by intracavitary administration of amphotericin B. C. zonatum is the anamorph of the heterothallic ascomycete Uncinocarpus orissi, and the identity of the case isolate was verified by formation of ascospores in mating tests with reference isolates.