A Case of Endobronchial Aspergillosis in a Renal Transplant Patient

Korean Journal of Nephrology 2007;26(4):508-512.

Gyeong Mi Heo, M.D.1, Won Jin Kim, M.D.1 , Dong Seon Park, M.D.1, Jeong A Lee, M.D.1, Eun Kyung Mo, M.D.1, Joong Sik Eom, M.D.1, Samuel Lee, M.D.2, Eun Sook Nam, M.D.3, Seong Jin Cho, M.D.3 and Ji Eun Oh, M.D.4

Department of Internal Medicine¹
Department of General Surgery²
and Department of Pathology3; College of Medicine, Hallym University, Hallym University Kidney Research Institute⁴
Seoul, Korea

신장 이식 환자에서 발병한 기관지내 아스페르길루스증 1예

허경미1

한림대학교 의과대학 강동성심병원 내과1, 외과2 , 병리과3, 한림대 신장 연구소4

Abstract

In immunocompromised renal transplant patients, aspergillosis can be a life-threatening opportunistic infection. Aspergillus is a ubiquitous organism in our environment, so pulmonary aspergillosis usually results from the ingrowths of the colonized Aspergillus in bronchial trees, pulmonary cysts or cavities. We have experienced a case of endobronchial aspergillosis developed in a renal transplant patient with neutropenia. Bronchoscopic biopsy revealed a necrotizing Aspergillus bronchitis in the orifice of the lateral segmental bronchus of left upper lobe. The patient received total 2,760 mg intravenous liposomal amphotericin B. There was no endobronchial lesion on follow up bronchoscopy and biopsy was also negative. This case serves as a reminder to clinicians that Aspergillus should be kept in mind as a possible infectious organism in renal transplant patients.

Key Words: Renal transplantation, Neutropenia, Aspergillosis