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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

Disseminated aspergillosis in an adolescent with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Annelies M Zwitserloot1, Adilia Warris, Louis G van't Hek

  • 1Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands.

Pediatric Blood & Cancer
|May 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Disseminated aspergillosis, a severe fungal infection, has a near 100% mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Combination antifungal therapy with voriconazole and caspofungin shows promise in treating this aggressive condition, even with central nervous system involvement.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Disseminated aspergillosis carries a high mortality rate, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Central nervous system (CNS) involvement significantly worsens the prognosis of disseminated aspergillosis.
  • Current antifungal treatments offer limited improvement, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of combination antifungal therapy in a critically ill adolescent with disseminated aspergillosis.
  • To report a successful treatment outcome in a case of disseminated aspergillosis with multi-organ involvement, including the CNS.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and disseminated aspergillosis.
  • Treatment administered: combination therapy with voriconazole and caspofungin.
  • Involvement of lung, brain, and thyroid gland was documented.

Main Results:

  • Successful treatment of disseminated aspergillosis in a critically ill adolescent.
  • Positive response to combination therapy with voriconazole and caspofungin.
  • Resolution of infection despite CNS and multi-organ involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Combination antifungal therapy, specifically voriconazole and caspofungin, can be effective in treating disseminated aspergillosis.
  • This therapeutic approach may improve outcomes in immunocompromised patients with severe invasive fungal infections.
  • Successful management of disseminated aspergillosis with CNS involvement is achievable.

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