Multiple lung abscesses due to Ochroconis gallopavum, a dematiaceous fungus, in a nonimmunocompromised wood pulp worker.
An occurrence of multiple chronic lung abscesses managed by lobectomy is described. These abscesses were present for 13 years in the patient, a nonimmunocompromised wood pulp worker. The patient had hemoptysis at presentation. The organism isolated was Ochroconis gallopavum, a dematiaceous fungus known to cause disease in immunocompromised patients and epidemic encephalitis in poultry. The fungus is typically found in warm environments and in decaying compost; for this reason, we postulate that his illness was occupationally acquired.
Odell
J A
JA
Section of Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery, Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
Alvarez
S
S
Cvitkovich
D G
DG
Cortese
D A
DA
McComb
B L
BL
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008169:Lung Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology; D014934:Wood