title: Primary gut aspergillosis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: the importance of early suspicion and definitive treatment.
abstract: Aspergillus infection is a known complication in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those with impaired neutrophil function. The pathophysiology of respiratory tract infection and disseminated disease are well understood, and guidelines exist for early detection and treatment. The gut has been speculated to be the potential portal of entry for Aspergillus, though previous case series outline that this is often discovered late and results in high morbidity and mortality. Early clinical suspicion, with definitive surgical intervention and antifungal treatment with voriconazole, can significantly increase the chances of survival. In this article, the authors discuss a case of primary gut aspergillosis with secondary dissemination in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia who developed serious sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hayder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hussein
authors.forename: Adil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Todiwala
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kirby
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents