Pulmonary Aspergillosis: An Observation from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Western Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Aspergillus is the most frequently occurring fungal infection in immunocompromised patients with a high mortality rate. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the most serious entity on the spectrum of pulmonary aspergillosis. Limited studies on the occurrence of pulmonary aspergillosis from this geographical area prompted us to carry out this study. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional observational study was carried out in the Postgraduate Department of Microbiology of a tertiary care medical teaching hospital in western Uttar Pradesh for one year. A total of 1032 respiratory samples were subjected for isolation and identification of fungal pathogens by direct microscopic examination (KOH mount) and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Results: The isolation rate of pulmonary aspergilli was 6.97%. The majority of the respiratory samples received were sputum 900 (87.2%) followed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 132 (12.7%). The pulmonary pathology was predominantly seen in the age group of 41–50 years (25%). Male patients (69%) were predominant. The majority of the samples (50%) were from the respiratory medicine ward followed by the respiratory medicine ICU (25%). Aspergillus fumigatus (58%) was the predominant species isolated followed by Aspergillus flavus (25%). Conclusion: Isolation of Aspergillus species from patients of pulmonary pathology needs to be correlated clinically to rule out colonization as they may need proper antifungal treatment. Indiscriminate use of antifungals may lead to the emergence of antifungal drug resistance.