[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by aspiration of polluted water after nearly drowning]

Abstract

A 21-year-old male nearly drowned in a reservoir by a traffic accident and he aspirated a large mount of polluted water containing Aspergillus fumigatus. On admission to our hospital, he was alert but cyanotic. Chest rentogenograms showed scatter infiltrative shadows in bilateral lung fields. We administered methylpredonizolon and antimicrobial agents immediately because of respiratory failure which was rapidly progressing. During the following six days, infiltrative shadows diminished but multiple nodular shadows in both lung fields appeared. The diagnosis of pulmonary aspergillosis was confirmed by serological and microbiological studies. Intravenous amphotericin B and oral itraconazol were administrated, and clinical improvement was observed.