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Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
[A case of resistant pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis successfully treated with voriconazole]
Eyüp Sabri Uçan1, Vildan Avkan Oğuz, Ozkan Güngör
1Department of Chest Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey.
Abstract:
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is the most common fungal pulmonary infection in immunocompromised patients. In this disease, it is hard to diagnose, it's therapy process is variable and mortality is high. Prognosis is even worse in the cases which have cerebral aspergillosis. The patient was following up as a diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia and treating with corticosteroids and azothiopurine. Patient attended our clinic with headache and lose of vision. IPA and cerebral aspergillosis was the diagnosis as his examinations. Amphotericin B lipid complex treatment were given because of pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis. Voriconazole was the second therapy because of the no response. Voriconazole is more effective in cerebral aspergillosis and treated this patient successfully.
Insights
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe fungal infection in immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights successful treatment of cerebral aspergillosis with voriconazole after initial therapy failure.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a critical fungal infection in immunocompromised patients, often presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
- Cerebral involvement significantly worsens the prognosis of IPA, demanding specialized treatment strategies.
Observation:
- A patient diagnosed with usual interstitial pneumonia and treated with immunosuppressants presented with neurological symptoms (headache, vision loss).
- Diagnostic examinations confirmed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with concurrent cerebral aspergillosis.
Findings:
- Initial treatment with Amphotericin B lipid complex for both pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis showed no response.
- Subsequent therapy with voriconazole, known for its efficacy in cerebral aspergillosis, led to successful patient recovery.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering and diagnosing invasive fungal infections, particularly cerebral aspergillosis, in immunocompromised patients with atypical symptoms.
- Voriconazole emerges as a crucial therapeutic option for cerebral aspergillosis, offering a successful treatment pathway when initial therapies fail.
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