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Published on: June 23, 2019
Analysis on the imaging features of AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection
Jian-Bo Gao1, Yong-Gao Zhang, Song-Wei Yue
1Department of Radiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China.
Background:
Pulmonary fungal infection is one type of the common opportunistic infections in AIDS patients. The disease is hard to diagnose because of its complicated imaging features. The objective of this study was to investigate the imaging performance characteristics of pulmonary fungal infection in AIDS patients.
Methods:
Fifty-one patients with AIDS complicated with pulmonary fungal infection and 56 patients of non-AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection were examined by CT scans and high-resolution CT scans. The contrast enhanced scans were performed in patients with the mass or suspected enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Results were compared between the two groups.
Results:
The most common fungal infection in the two groups of patients was Candida albicans. The infection rates were 54.8% (28 cases) in the group (AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infection) and 58.3% (32 cases) in another group (non-AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infection). In the two groups, the difference in diffuse distribution and the difference in incidence of affected upper and lower lobes in the bilateral lung fields were statistically significant. The differences in patchy or large consolidation shadow, cavitas, enlarged lymph nodes in mediastinum and pleural effusion were also significant when comparing the two groups.
Conclusions:
The lesion in most of AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infection tends to exhibit diffuse distribution, patchy or large consolidation shadow covering a more extensive region. The differences between AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection and non-AIDS with pulmonary fungal infection are statistically significant in lesion location and complicated imaging features. The most common fungal infection in AIDS patients is Candida albicans.
Insights
Pulmonary fungal infections in AIDS patients present distinct imaging features compared to non-AIDS patients. Understanding these differences aids in diagnosing this opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Pulmonary fungal infections are common opportunistic infections in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
- Diagnosing these infections is challenging due to complex and varied imaging presentations.
- This study focuses on characterizing the imaging features of pulmonary fungal infections specifically in AIDS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the imaging performance characteristics of pulmonary fungal infections in patients with and without AIDS.
- To identify key imaging differences that can aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary fungal infections in AIDS patients.
Main Methods:
- Computed Tomography (CT) and high-resolution CT scans were performed on 51 AIDS patients and 56 non-AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infections.
- Contrast-enhanced scans were utilized for patients with masses or suspected mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
- Imaging results were systematically compared between the AIDS and non-AIDS groups.
Main Results:
- Candida albicans was the most frequent fungal pathogen in both groups.
- Statistically significant differences were observed in lesion distribution (diffuse vs. focal), lobe involvement (upper/lower), consolidation patterns (patchy/large), presence of cavities, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and pleural effusion between the two groups.
- AIDS patients more commonly exhibited diffuse distribution and extensive consolidation.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary fungal infections in AIDS patients often display diffuse patterns and extensive consolidation.
- Significant differences in lesion location and imaging complexity exist between AIDS-associated and non-AIDS pulmonary fungal infections.
- Candida albicans is the predominant fungal agent in AIDS patients with pulmonary fungal infections.
