Invasive aspergillosis in a "healthy" patient

Can Med Assoc J. 1984 Aug 15;131(4):332-5.

Abstract

A case of invasive aspergillosis complicated by the formation of an aspergilloma is described. The patient, a 48-year-old man, was apparently healthy except for mild alcoholic steatosis of the liver. A review of the literature revealed that 5 of the 14 previously reported cases of invasive aspergillosis in seemingly immunocompetent hosts were associated with liver disease. Immunologic investigation in this case revealed transient cutaneous anergy during the acute illness and normal lymphocyte function. Assessment of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function, however, showed abnormalities of phagocytosis as well as impairment of intracellular bactericidal activity. These abnormalities may have contributed to a relative immunodeficiency. Impairment of immune function may play a role in the pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis in some apparently healthy patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / etiology
  • Aspergillosis / etiology
  • Aspergillosis / immunology
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / isolation & purification
  • Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / complications
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / surgery
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / etiology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / immunology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sputum / microbiology