BACKGROUND

Pulmonary aspergilloma is the most common pulmonary involvement due to Aspergillus. It usually develops in a pre-existing cavity in the lung, most often due to tuberculosis. Hemoptysis occurs secondary to local invasion of the blood vessels lining the cavity. Recurrence of which, is an indication to do surgery, lobectomy in particular. Antifungals like amphotecin B given intravenously and itraconazole given orally, have been the traditional management. But with the emergence of newer antifungals, Echinocandins in particular, which functions to inhibit the β-(1,3) p-glucan synthase, an enzyme necessary for the synthesis of an essential component of the cell wall of fungi, one may need not undergo surgery. The most common antifungal medication for Aspergillus is voriconazole, a second-generation triazole. This case demonstrates the efficient utilization of Voriconazole along with Anidulafungin, which is necessary for the fungal cell wall integrity. For immunocompromised patients with pulmonary aspergilloma, this dual therapy presents a viable substitute for surgical intervention and an efficient treatment approach.

CASE

We present a case of a 54-year-old married patient, who presented with massive hemoptysis four days before consulting a private physician. She had ten episodes of hemoptysis four hours before admission and was rushed to the hospital. The patient had multiple comorbidities, including diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, contributing to an immunocompromised state. She had a history of anti-tuberculosis treatment in 2000, which was discontinued due to an allergic reaction. During her hospital stay, she experienced febrile episodes, and capillary glucose monitoring was beyond acceptable levels, prompting antibiotic initiation. A chest CT scan revealed pulmonary tuberculosis with cicatricial atelectasis of the lingular segment and infected cavitary formation. A bronchoscopy and biopsy of the cavitary lesion were scheduled. Surgical intervention, particularly lobectomy, was not pursued due to multiple factors, including the patient's immunocompromised status, her underlying comorbidities, and the response to antifungal therapy. After eight to 14 fourteen (8-14) hospital days, no episodes of hemoptysis were noted, and the biopsy result revealed fungal colonization consistent with Aspergillus species. The patient was discharged with oral Voriconazole and other maintenance medications. A repeat chest CT scan after five months of antifungal therapy showed regression of the fungus ball.

CONCLUSION

In this case, pulmonary aspergilloma in an immunocompromised patient was successfully treated with a combination antifungal therapy utilizing anidulafungin and voriconazole. The favorable clinical response to dual antifungal therapy provides a feasible non-surgical alternative to surgical intervention, which has historically been the preferred option for treating recurrent hemoptysis, particularly in high-risk patients. The fungus ball's regression and the fungal infection's resolution support the growing role of more recent antifungal medications in the treatment of complicated pulmonary infections. This case suggests that echinocandins combined with triazole therapy are a viable less invasive treatment option for pulmonary aspergilloma than surgery.

Human ; Female ; Middle Aged: 45-64 Yrs Old ; Anidulafungin ; Immunocompromised Host ; Patients ; Therapeutics ; Voriconazole