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(Chest. 1998;114:629-634.)
© 1998 American College of Chest Physicians

Acute Community-Acquired Pneumonia due to Aspergillus in Presumably Immunocompetent Hosts

Clues for Recognition of a Rare but Fatal Disease

Cornelius J. Clancy MD1 and M. Hong Nguyen MD1

1 From the University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Gainesville

M. Hong Nguyen, MD, University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, P.O. Box 100277, JHMHC, Gainesville, FL 32610

This article reports a case of acute community-acquired pneumonia due to Aspergillus fumigatus in a healthy patient and reviews 11 previously reported cases occurring in presumably immunocompetent hosts. The diagnosis was delayed for all patients; mortality was 100%. Clues that might suggest Aspergillus as a pathogen in community-acquired pneumonia include a chest radiograph revealing diffuse infiltrates or new cavitation; lack of bacterial or viral cause; a preceding influenza A infection; and respiratory secretion cultures positive for Aspergillus. When these clues are present, the physician should consider an early biopsy of lung tissue. Increased recognition and more timely diagnosis in future cases will improve the outcome of this rare but fatal infection.

Key Words: Aspergillus pneumonia • fungal pneumonia • immunocompetent




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