Reactivation and dissemination of blastomycosis complicating Hodgkin's disease: a case report and review of the literature

Am J Hematol. 1993 Jun;43(2):129-32. doi: 10.1002/ajh.2830430211.

Abstract

Patients presenting with Hodgkin's disease (HD) may show lung involvement characterized by contiguous spread from ipsilateral hilar lymph nodes. Lung consolidation or noncontiguous pulmonary involvement makes an alternative diagnosis more likely. This report describes a patient with HD in whom concurrent pulmonary blastomycosis was recognized only after chemotherapy had started and dissemination had occurred. Although Blastomyces dermatitidis may behave as an opportunist pathogen, there are no previous reports of blastomycosis in patients with HD. Undiagnosed active opportunistic infection at the time of diagnosis of HD may complicate staging as well as treatment. Biopsy of lung lesions with stain and culture for opportunistic pathogens should be considered in patients with newly diagnosed HD disease and atypical patterns of lung involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Blastomycosis / complications*
  • Blastomycosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hodgkin Disease / complications*
  • Hodgkin Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Hodgkin Disease / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases / complications*
  • Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography, Thoracic

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents