Chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompetent child

Adeyinka A Davies1,2, Ireti A Adegbite3, Patricia E Akintan4,5

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.

Insights

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) in children is a serious lung condition. Early diagnosis and treatment with Itraconazole can lead to significant improvement, highlighting the need to consider fungal infections in pediatric cavitary lung lesions.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a destructive lung disease.
  • Cavitary lung lesions in children are often presumed to be tuberculosis.
  • Aspergillus IgG positivity indicates fungal infection.

Observation:

  • A 9-year-old boy presented with cavitary lung lesions.
  • The patient had positive Aspergillus IgG antibodies.

Findings:

  • The child was diagnosed with CPA.
  • Treatment with oral Itraconazole led to significant clinical improvement.

Implications:

  • Heightened suspicion for CPA is crucial in pediatric patients with cavitary lung lesions.
  • Cavitary lung lesions in children are not exclusively caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

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