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Fine needle aspiration of pulmonary adiaspiromycosis: a case report
Yanyu Sun1, Tawfiqul Bhuiya, Tarun Wasil
1Division of Cytopathology, Department of Pathology, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Long Island Campus for Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York 11040, USA.
Background:
Pulmonary adiaspiromycosis is a common disease of many species of wild rodents and occasionally of humans, caused by the inhalation of spores of the fungus Chrysosporium parvum var crescens (Emmonsia crescens).
Case:
A 74-year-old female with pulmonary adiaspiromycosis was diagnosed by radiologically guided lung fine needle aspiration (FNA). The specimen showed intracellular and extracellular 100-300 microm conidia with a distinct thick, trilaminar wall, which was positive for Gomori-methenamine silver and periodic acid-Schiff stain. The background consisted of a granulomatous process.
Conclusion:
FNA is an effective method of diagnosing pulmonary adiaspiromycosis, and pathologists need to be aware of the characteristic features of this unusual opportunistic fungal infection.
Insights
Pulmonary adiaspiromycosis, a fungal infection, can be diagnosed using radiologically guided lung fine needle aspiration (FNA). This method effectively identifies the characteristic fungal elements in patients with this rare opportunistic infection.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pulmonary adiaspiromycosis is a fungal disease affecting wild rodents and occasionally humans.
- It is caused by inhaling spores of Chrysosporium parvum var crescens (Emmonsia crescens).
Observation:
- A 74-year-old female presented with pulmonary adiaspiromycosis.
- Diagnosis was achieved via radiologically guided lung fine needle aspiration (FNA).
Findings:
- The FNA specimen revealed characteristic intracellular and extracellular conidia (100-300 microm) with thick, trilaminar walls.
- These fungal elements stained positively with Gomori-methenamine silver and periodic acid-Schiff.
- A granulomatous process was noted in the background.
Implications:
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is an effective diagnostic tool for pulmonary adiaspiromycosis.
- Pathologists must recognize the distinct morphological features of Emmonsia crescens for accurate diagnosis.
- Awareness of this opportunistic fungal infection is crucial for timely patient management.
