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Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Role of COPD in a case of fatal Aspergillus niger tracheobronchitis
Tracy Ashby1, Kevin Green2, Kimberly Marie Burcher3
1Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA tracy.ashby@jax.ufl.edu.
Abstract:
A man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in his mid-60s was admitted for respiratory failure due to multifocal, necrotising pneumonia. Despite initial improvement with antimicrobial therapy, the patient developed hemoptysis and progressive infiltrates. Subsequent fungal cultures from his bronchoalveolar lavage were positive for Aspergillus niger and treatment with voriconazole was added for suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). A repeat bronchoscopy revealed cobblestone lesions with mucosal friability throughout the lower trachea and bilateral mainstem bronchi. Endobronchial biopsy showed septated hyphae confirming the diagnosis of IPA. Despite appropriate therapy, the patient declined further and passed away on hospital day 11. Invasive infections with A. niger are infrequent, with a paucity of data on clinical course and outcomes. Our case adds to the current body of literature regarding the potential virulence of this species in patients with COPD.
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