[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in influenza]

Abstract

Background: Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a life-threatening infection that occurs predominantly in severely immunocompromised patients. Recently, IPA is also increasingly seen in less severely immunocompromised patients, such as patients with COPD receiving glucocorticoids and patients on ventilation in an IC unit.

Case description: Here we present the case of a 59-year-old male who died of influenza complicated by a superinfection with Aspergillus fumigatus. This patient had no known previous medical history, except schizophrenia.

Conclusion: Since the 2009 influenza pandemic, IPA has been increasingly reported as a superinfection in patients with a severe influenza virus infection. This combined Aspergillus and influenza infection often has a fatal outcome. An Aspergillus sputum culture should be taken seriously in patients with severe influenza pneumonia, and treatment should be considered early in the disease course.