Coinfection of Pneumocystis jirovecii and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in an immunocompromised patient: a diagnostic challenge

Onkologie. 2013;36(10):582-4. doi: 10.1159/000355168. Epub 2013 Sep 16.

Abstract

Background: Invasive infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus as well as Pneumocystis pneumonia are serious and often lethal diseases in severely immunocompromised patients.

Case report: We report on a rare case of a pulmonary coinfection of Pneumocystis jirovecii and Aspergillus fumigatus in a 59-year-old female patient with a history of astrocytoma treated with high doses of corticosteroids and a subsequent CD4 lymphocyte count of 30/µl.

Conclusion: A heightened clinical awareness and a stringent and accurate diagnostic work-up encompassing diagnostic tools to detect even coincident fungal infections is crucial for sufficient and early antifungal treatment in immunocompromised patients with lung infiltrates.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host / immunology*
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / immunology*
  • Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumocystis carinii / immunology
  • Pneumocystis carinii / isolation & purification*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / immunology*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / microbiology