Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis with spontaneous resolution and the diagnostic utility of PCR from tissue specimens.
This case describes a 61-year-old apparently immunocompetent female with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) and eosinophilia who demonstrated spontaneous clinical and radiological recovery. The patient had a history of asthma and had been corticosteroid dependent until 2 months prior to her presentation. This report explores the role of PCR in confirming the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in circumstances where only histological data are available and highlights the fact that invasive infections with Aspergillus spp. can occur without profound immunological deficiency. The case also documents the resolution of IPA without specific therapy.
Hope
William W
WW
Department of Medicine, Education and Research Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital, University of Manchester, Southmoor Road, Manchester M23 9LT, UK. whope@fs1.with.man.ac.uk
Padwell
Alan
A
Guiver
Malcolm
M
Denning
David W
DW
D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D004271:DNA, Fungal