Pseudomembranous Tracheobronchitis Caused by Aspergillus in a Patient after Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

    198



    198 Views
    26 Downloads

    Download PDF

    ABSTRACT

    Introduction: We report a case of pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus 2 years after matched unrelated stem cell transplant.

    Clinical Picture: The patient presented with dyspnoea and obstructive airway disease coinciding with the onset of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Following treatment with higher immunosuppressive therapy for presumptive diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans, he subsequently developed recurrent spontaneous pneumomediastinum and progressive respiratory failure.

    Treatment and Outcome: Tracheobronchial biopsy and culture of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid revealed Aspergillus tracheobronchitis. Despite mechanical ventilation and antifungal therapy, he succumbed to progressive respiratory failure.

    Conclusions and Clinical Implications: Aspergillus tracheobronchitis should be suspected in heavily immunosuppressed stem cell transplant recipients presenting with recurrent pneumomediastinum and progressive respiratory failure.


    Pseudomembranous tracheobronchitis caused by Aspergillus is a rare and lethal variant of invasive aspergillosis. It has been reported in a few series of immunocompromised patients.

    This article is available only as a PDF. Please click on “Download PDF” on top to view the full article.