Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases
03:22

Microbiological Rapid On-Site Evaluation for Pulmonary Infectious Diseases

Published on: March 1, 2024

CT findings in immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infections

Figen Başaran Demirkazik1, Aylin Akin, Omrüm Uzun

  • 1Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.

Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology (Ankara, Turkey)
|June 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Computed tomography (CT) accurately identifies fungal infections and Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in immunocompromised patients. However, CT is less accurate for diagnosing bacterial and viral pulmonary infections in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology and Imaging
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies are susceptible to pulmonary infections.
  • Accurate and timely diagnosis of pulmonary infections is crucial for effective treatment in this vulnerable group.
  • Computed tomography (CT) is a primary imaging modality for evaluating pulmonary conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings of pulmonary infections in immunocompromised patients with hematologic malignancies.
  • To determine the accuracy of first-choice diagnoses made via CT for various pulmonary infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of CT chest scans from 57 immunocompromised patients with pulmonary infections.
  • First and second interpretations of etiology were proposed for each case.
  • Etiological verification through microbiological tests (cultures, smears) and clinical follow-up.

Main Results:

  • Identified infections included bacterial (19), fungal (20), cytomegalovirus (CMV) (8), Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) (8), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (2).
  • CT findings varied by etiology: consolidations for bacterial, nodules for fungal, centrilobular nodules/ground-glass for CMV, and bilateral ground-glass densities for PCP.
  • High accuracy for fungal infections (95.0%) and PCP (87.5%), but lower accuracy for bacterial (73.7%) and viral (75.0%) infections; tuberculosis was not identified.

Conclusions:

  • CT findings can accurately identify pulmonary fungal infections and PCP in febrile immunocompromised patients.
  • CT is a valuable tool for diagnosing specific pulmonary infections in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Limitations exist in CT's ability to diagnose bacterial, viral, and tuberculous pulmonary infections in this patient group.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia08:05

Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia

Published on: December 19, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV01:26

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
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...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
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...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...