Korean J Crit Care Med.  2009 Dec;24(3):172-175. 10.4266/kjccm.2009.24.3.172.

Acute Respiratory Failure from Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in an Immunocompetent Adult: A Case Report

• Park JS
• Yim JJ
• Yang SC
• Yoo CG
• Kim YW
• Han SK
• Shim YS
• Lee SM

• KMID: 2228327
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2009.24.3.172

Abstract

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis has traditionally been known as a disease of an immunocompromised host. We report here on a case of an immunocompetent 73-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and he was finally diagnosed as suffering with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. He died from progressive respiratory failure and secondary bacterial sepsis despite of voriconazole treatment. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in patients with atypical pneumonia that does not respond to the usual antibiotics therapy, and even if the patient does not have an obvious history of an immunosuppressive status. An early suspicion with prompt treatment is important to improve the patient outcome.

Keyword

acute respiratory failure; diagnosis; immunocompetent; invasive pulmonary aspergillosis

MeSH Terms

Aged
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Diagnosis, Differential
Dyspnea
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Male
Pneumonia
Pyrimidines
Respiratory Insufficiency
Sepsis
Stress, Psychological
Triazoles
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Pyrimidines
Triazoles