Clinical, radiological, and microbiological profile of pulmonary aspergillosis in treated cases of pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Context: Clinical studies about detailed spectrum of aspergillosis in treated tuberculosis (TB) patients are lacking. Hence, a study was undertaken at the Institute of Respiratory Disease, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Treated patients of pulmonary TB having any symptom such as hemoptysis, cough with expectoration, weight loss, and whose chest X-ray showed residual cavitation were enrolled for the study. Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary aspergillosis in treated cases of pulmonary TB and to study the social, demographical, and clinical characteristics of these patients. Settings and Design: A descriptive type of observational study was conducted at the Department of Respiratory Medicine in a tertiary care center of Rajasthan. Subjects and Methods: This descriptive type of observational study was conducted on seventy patients, whose sputum or bronchial wash showed isolation of Aspergillus. Demographic details, predisposing factors, and clinical findings were noted. Statistical Analysis Used: Data collected were entered into Excel spreadsheet and quantitative data were expressed as number and percentage. Results: The presentation of pulmonary aspergillosis in treated cases of pulmonary TB varies from aspergilloma (57%) to chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis (36%) to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (7%). The most common symptom was recurrent hemoptysis. Most of the patients were farmers by occupation, but no significant comorbid illness was seen. X-ray chest missed about 70% of cases. The most common species were Aspergillus fumigatus; others were Aspergillus terreus (13%), Aspergillus flavus (13%), and Aspergillus niger (7%). Conclusions: All treated cases of pulmonary TB presenting with recurrent hemoptysis and/or cough with expectoration should be evaluated in detail for pulmonary aspergillosis as chest X-ray alone can miss the diagnosis.