Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 4, 2025

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
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.
Abstract:
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a progressive and destructive disease of the lung parenchyma. We report a 9-year-old boy diagnosed with CPA with a positive Aspergillus IgG and chest imaging of cavitary lung lesions. He was treated with oral Itraconazole with significant improvement. This shows that an index of suspicion should be heightened in the paediatric population with cavitary lung lesions because not all cavitary lung lesions are caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
Other Pulmonary Disorders

