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Updated: May 26, 2026
09:52
Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis
Aleksandra Lovrenski1, Milana Panjković, Zivka Eri
1Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Center for Pathology, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia.
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
|December 24, 2011
Summary
Diagnosing chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) can be challenging. A combination of clinical, imaging, and biopsy findings, along with Aspergillus serology or culture, strongly suggests this rare lung infection.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (CNPA) is a rare, progressive cavitary lung infection.
- Vascular invasion and systemic dissemination are uncommon in CNPA.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old male with acute leukemia presented with pulmonary and systemic symptoms.
- Chest CT revealed bilateral nodular consolidations and cavitary lesions.
- Bronchial biopsy showed necrotic hyphae; Aspergillus culture was negative. Serum antibodies to Aspergillus were positive, but antigens were negative.
Findings:
- Thoracoscopic lung biopsy confirmed lung necrosis, inflammation, and Aspergillus hyphae.
- Diagnosis of CNPA requires integrating clinical, radiological, and histological data.
- Positive Aspergillus serology or isolation from respiratory samples aids diagnosis.
Implications:
- Highlights the diagnostic challenges in immunocompromised patients with suspected CNPA.
- Emphasizes the importance of combining multiple diagnostic modalities for accurate diagnosis.
- Informs clinical management strategies for rare fungal lung infections in leukemia patients.
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