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Pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus

D W Hines1, M H Haber, L Yaremko

  • 1Department of Medicine and Pathology, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital, Chicago, Illinois.

The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|June 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Four immunosuppressed patients developed severe respiratory distress due to Aspergillus pseudomembranes in their lower airways. Early diagnosis is challenging due to the aggressive nature of this invasive fungal infection.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Invasive fungal infections pose a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals.
  • Rapidly progressive respiratory failure necessitates prompt diagnosis and management.

Observation:

  • Autopsy revealed Aspergillus pseudomembranes in the lower tracheobronchial tree of four patients.
  • Patients presented with febrile, rapidly evolving respiratory distress syndrome.

Findings:

  • Predisposing factors included steroid use, neutropenia, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and alcoholism.
  • Antemortem diagnosis is difficult due to low sputum culture yield and disease fulminance.

Implications:

  • Highlights the critical need for heightened clinical suspicion for invasive aspergillosis in at-risk patients.
  • Suggests that bronchoscopy may be a valuable diagnostic tool.
  • Underscores the challenges in early detection and treatment of this severe fungal complication.

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