Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
09:52

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis

Published on: March 9, 2018

[Invasive aspergillosis of the cavum associated with candidal meningitis]

S Massou1, H Azendour, T Nebhani

  • 1Service de réanimation médicale, hôpital militaire d'instruction Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc. salah_masson80@hotmail.com

Medecine Et Maladies Infectieuses
|June 2, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Invasive aspergillosis of the cavum is a rare fungal infection. This case highlights its potential for severe endocranial spread and co-infection with Candida meningitis.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Aspergillus fumigatus is a common, resistant environmental fungus and human pathogen.
  • Primary aspergillosis typically affects the maxillary sinus and lungs.
  • Intracranial involvement, though rare, can occur via hematogenous spread or contiguity.

Observation:

  • The case involved a 70-year-old female with diabetes and hypertension.
  • The patient presented with invasive aspergillosis of the cavum (nasopharynx).
  • This was complicated by endocranial extension and subsequent Candida meningitis.

Findings:

  • Invasive aspergillosis of the cavum is diagnostically challenging.
  • Endocranial involvement poses a significant risk due to blood-brain barrier permeabilization.
  • The infection can facilitate secondary neuromeningeal mycotic infections.

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for invasive cavum aspergillosis.
  • This case underscores the potential for aggressive intracranial spread in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Co-infections, such as Candida meningitis, can complicate the clinical course and prognosis.

More Related Videos

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung15:01

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy-Based Quantitative Analysis of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia Distribution in Whole-Mount Optically Cleared Mouse Lung

Published on: September 18, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...