Native valve Aspergillus endocarditis complicating lung transplantation.
We present 2 cases of Aspergillus endocarditis occurring in lung transplant recipients, both of whom were treated with early surgical intervention and triazole anti-fungal agents. Neither had evidence of airway colonization/infection with Aspergillus post-transplant, suggesting hematogenous spread of fungi at the time of surgery as a possible mechanism of infection. One case was successfully treated and discharged from the hospital, but, despite initial recovery, death occurred 10 months later due to a recurrence of Aspergillus endocarditis. Aspergillus endocarditis should be considered a relapsing disease and survivors of the condition should receive ongoing anti-fungal therapy.
Maher
Toby M
TM
Cardiothoracic Transplant Unit, Harefield Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex, UK. t.maher@ucl.ac.uk
Carby
Martin R
MR
Hall
Anne V
AV
Banner
Nicholas R
NR
Burke
Margaret M
MM
Dreyfus
Gilles D
GD
D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001229:Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006351:Heart Valves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000935:Antifungal Agents