An autopsy case of pulmonary fissure induced by zygomycosis

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Yuichiro Imai1, Yasushi Adachi, Takashi Kimura

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical University, Osaka.

International Journal of General Medicine
|July 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This autopsy case highlights a fatal fungal infection in an immunocompromised patient, detailing a rare combination of zygomycosis and aspergillosis. The findings underscore the aggressive nature of these infections, even with treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Pathology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Fungal infections pose significant threats to immunocompromised individuals.
  • This case involves a female patient in her 70s undergoing chronic hemodialysis, initially presenting with symptoms suggestive of vasculitis.

Observation:

  • The patient developed pneumonia, pulmonary bleeding, and pneumothorax, leading to death.
  • Autopsy revealed hemorrhagic necrosis in the left lung and Zygomycota in the lungs and heart.
  • Aspergillus species were identified in the right lung.

Findings:

  • The autopsy confirmed a combined infection of zygomycosis and aspergillosis.
  • Zygomycosis is presumed to have caused hemorrhagic infarction and lung necrosis.
  • Despite treatment with lipid formulations of amphotericin B, the zygomycosis progressed.

Implications:

  • This case emphasizes the critical need for early diagnosis and aggressive management of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.
  • Combined zygomycosis and aspergillosis represent a rare but devastating clinical entity.
  • Further research into optimal treatment strategies for such polymicrobial fungal infections is warranted.
Keywords:
aspergillosisimmunosuppressionlungpulmonary fissurezygomycosis

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