A fatal case of disseminated aspergillosis caused by a non-sporulating strain of Aspergillus fumigatus. Issue 9 (27th August 2004)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Callister, M E; Griffiths, M J; Nicholson, A G; Leonard, A; Johnson, E M; Polkey, M I; Kerr, J R
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 57:Issue 9(2004)
• Page Start: 991
• Page End: 992
• Publication Date: 2004-08-27
• Subjects: Aspergillus fumigatus -- aspergillosis -- non-sporulating -- non-sporing; Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2003.014449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : This report describes the case of a 38 year old pregnant woman with fatal disseminated aspergillosis and multiorgan failure, which was preceded by a long history of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Postmortem revealed massive infarction and abscess formation in both lungs. Histology revealed a focal granulomatous response. Fungal infiltration with areas of necrosis were also seen in the liver, spleen, and paratracheal, mediastinal, para-aortic, and hilar lymph nodes. Culture of tissue samples produced a non-sporulating, beige coloured fungus that developed green pigmentation only after three weeks of incubation. Nucleotide sequencing of the D1–D2 region of the large ribosomal subunit revealed 100% homology with Aspergillus fumigatus . Minimum inhibitory concentrations for amphotericin B and itraconazole were both 0.25 mg/litre (susceptible). Further work is urgently required to determine the prevalence of such non-sporulating strains and their relevance to clinical infection.