Pulmonary Infiltrates in a Non-Cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Background:Scedosporium apiospermum is a filamentous fungus increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised hosts, though rare infections in immunocompetent individuals with structural lung disease have been reported. Its diagnosis and management remain challenging due to non-specific clinical presentation and intrinsic resistance to multiple antifungal agents. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 66-year-old immunocompetent woman with idiopathic bilateral non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, who presented with subacute cough and increased sputum production. Chest high-resolution CT revealed new subsolid and ground-glass infiltrates superimposed on stable bronchiectatic changes. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cultures isolated S. apiospermum as the sole pathogen. The patient was treated with oral voriconazole (200 mg BID) for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week course of aerosolized amphotericin B. Clinical and radiological improvement was observed, and no relapse occurred during follow-up. Discussion: This case highlights the potential for S. apiospermum to cause clinically relevant pulmonary infection in structurally abnormal but immunocompetent lungs. Non-CF bronchiectasis may facilitate fungal colonization due to impaired mucociliary clearance and chronic mucus retention. Combined antifungal therapy involving systemic voriconazole and inhaled amphotericin B (though not yet standardized) was employed based on clinical rationale and the available literature, resulting in favorable outcomes. Conclusions:S. apiospermum pulmonary infection, although rare in immunocompetent hosts with bronchiectasis, should be considered in cases of new or persistent infiltrates. Early recognition and individualized antifungal strategies, including the potential role of inhaled agents, may improve clinical outcomes. This case reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration in the management of complex fungal infections in chronic airway disease.

Keywords: antifungal treatment; bronchiectasis; fungal infection.

Figure 1

(A,B): High-resolution chest CT (HRCT) showing faint subsolid peribronchovascular infiltrate in the apical–posterior and anterior segment of the left upper lobe and new ground-glass opacity in the ventral segment of the right upper lobe, suggestive of inflammatory activity. (C,D): HRCT after antifungal therapy was performed showing partial resolution of inflammatory infiltrates.