title: Aspergillus tracheobronchitis causing subtotal tracheal stenosis in a liver transplant recipient.
abstract: Invasive aspergillosis is recognized as one of the most significant opportunistic infections after liver transplantation. Diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in transplant recipients has been proven to be challenging, and optimal approach to the treatment of invasive aspergillosis is still controversial. We here present an unusual case of Aspergillus tracheobronchitis in the setting of liver transplantation. A 47-year-old female patient with persistent dry cough after liver transplantation developed respiratory insufficiency and was readmitted to the intensive care unit 55 days after liver transplantation. A CT scan revealed subtotal tracheal stenosis; bronchoscopy was performed, and extended white mucus coverings causative of the tracheal stenosis were removed. Microbiological assessment isolated Aspergillus fumigatus. The diagnosis was obstructive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis. The patient was started on a treatment of voriconazole 200 mg orally twice daily, adjusted to a trough level of 1-4 mg/L. For further airway management, a tracheal stent had to be implanted. The patient is alive and well 28 months after liver transplantation. Invasive aspergillosis should be considered a possible etiology in liver transplant patients presenting with unspecific symptoms such as persistent dry cough. Optimal strategies for improved and early diagnosis as well as prophylaxis need to be defined.
authors: Department of General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Essen University Hospital, 45122 Essen, Germany.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Radunz
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Kirchner
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Treckmann
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Paul
authors: Fuat H
authors: FH
authors: Saner
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