Tracheal oxalosis associated withAspergillus nigertracheobronchitis

Abstract

To the Editor: Aspergillus is a widespread mould that can cause a variety of human diseases, usually in the setting of immunosuppression. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the most aggressive form of Aspergillus infection and it is associated with morbidity and mortality. Invasive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is a rare entity, primarily affecting lung transplant recipients, and patients with AIDS or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aspergillus niger , and to a lesser extent A. fumigatus , can cause calcium oxalate crystals to accumulate in the lung, a condition termed pulmonary oxalosis. Tracheal oxalosis due to invasive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis has, to our knowledge, not been described before. Here, we report the case of a patient with probable invasive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis who developed tracheal oxalosis. Clinical, radiological and pathological correlation is given. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is the most aggressive form of Aspergillus infection and it is related with a high morbidity and mortality [1]. The majority of patients with invasive aspergillosis are critically ill, requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The presence of Aspergillus in the airways of critically ill patients carries higher mortality risk [2], and should prompt further diagnostic evaluation, including fibre-optic bronchoscopy [3]. Invasive Aspergillus tracheobronchitis is thought to be a rare entity, primarily …