Invasive aspergillosis in the aortic arch with infectious Aspergillus lesions in pulmonary bullae

Med Mycol Case Rep. 2014 Dec 19:7:15-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mmcr.2014.12.001. eCollection 2015 Mar.

Abstract

A patient with pulmonary bullae died of massive hemoptysis. At autopsy a hole was observed in the aortic wall. A microscopic examination indicated small Aspergillus lesions in pulmonary bullae and extensive necrotic lesions with Aspergillus hyphae in the media of the thoracic aorta. These findings led to a diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in the aortic arch. This is a rare case in which Aspergillus invaded the aorta in a patient without hematologic neoplasms or neutropenia.

Keywords: Aspergillus; Invasive aspergillosis; Massive hemoptysis; Pulmonary bullae; Thoracic aorta.