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The grim reaper evading modern medicine: aspergillosis, adenovirus, and Hodgkin lymphoma

Larry Nichols1, Justin Armstrong2, Cody Atkinson2

  • 1Mercer University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology. Macon, GA, USA.

Autopsy & Case Reports
|December 21, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This case highlights rare invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and adenovirus hepatitis infections in a patient with refractory Hodgkin lymphoma. Autopsy revealed these fatal complications, underscoring the need for advanced diagnostics and research.

Area of Science:

  • Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
  • Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a treatment for refractory HL.
  • Invasive fungal infections and viral hepatitis are potential complications of HSCT.

Observation:

  • A patient with HL refractory to chemotherapy underwent allogeneic HSCT.
  • The patient developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and adenovirus hepatitis.
  • These infections were diagnosed post-mortem via autopsy.

Findings:

  • Autopsy confirmed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and adenovirus hepatitis as fatal complications.
  • The patient was successfully treated for HL, Clostridioides difficile colitis, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.
  • This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges and limitations of modern medicine.

Implications:

  • Illustrative cases of rare infections are crucial for medical education and diagnosis.
  • Autopsy remains a valuable tool for confirming diagnoses and understanding disease progression.
  • Further research is needed to overcome challenges in diagnosing and treating complex infections in immunocompromised patients.
Keywords:
AdenovirusAspergillosisHepatitisHodgkin lymphoma: Autopsy

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