A Lung Granuloma Case Possibly Associated with a Working Environment: A Case Report
10.1016/j.shaw.2021.03.001
- Author:
Sankom SEEHAPANYA
1
;
Naesinee CHAIEAR
;
Pailin RATANAWATKUL
;
Kittipan SAMERPITAK
;
Piyapharom INTARAWICHIAN
;
Lumyai WONGLAKORN
Author Information
1. Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
- Publication Type:Case Report
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2021;12(2):268-271
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Lung granulomas are uncommon in Thailand. The disease typically develops from an occupational environment and is mostly caused by infection. Herein is a case report of a female patient, aged 48, working as a nurse in an Accident and Emergency Department at a hospital. Eighteen years prior to admission the patient was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis and pulmonary tuberculosis. The chest X-ray and CT scans showed a solitary pulmonary nodule in the lower left lung. The patient received an open thoracotomy with a left lobectomy. Granulomatous and nonseptate hyphae were found in the pathology diagnosis. The patient was thus diagnosed as having a lung granuloma. The galactomannan antigen test was positive. The solitary pulmonary nodule—found from the use of a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test—was an Aspergillus spp. The fungus culture was collected from air samples. The air samples were collected by the impaction technique using a microbial air sampler. Three types of Aspergillus spp. were found as well as Penicillium spp. and Monilia sitophila. The Aspergillus spp. was a match for the patient's disease. The patient was diagnosed as having a lung granuloma possibly Aspergillus nodule which was caused by airborne Aspergillus spp. from the occupational environment.
