Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: rationale and clinical guidelines for diagnosis and management

Utility of Serum and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Galactomannan in Diagnosis of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

The value of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid galactomannan (BALF-GM) in diagnosing chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) remains unclear. Here, we study the diagnostic efficacy of GM in the diagnosis of CPA. We included consecutive treatment-naive subjects with CPA. For calculating the specificity of serum GM, we enrolled diseased controls (minimally symptomatic subjects previously treated for pulmonary tuberculosis, not meeting the criteria for CPA). To calculate the specificity of BALF-GM, subjects with pulmonary disorders other than CPA who underwent bronchoscopy were included. We determined the cutoff of serum and BALF-GM levels using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We enrolled 243 consecutive treatment-naive subjects (53.5% males) of CPA with a mean (standard deviation) age of 43.6 (14.7) years. Forty-five (60% males; age, 46.7 [15.7] years) and 27 (59.3% males; age, 52.6 [12.8] years) subjects served as controls for serum and BALF-GM, respectively. The best cutoff value for serum and BALF-GM was 0.55 (area under the ROC curve [AUROC], 0.605; sensitivity, 38%; specificity, 87%) and 1.375 (AUROC, 0.836; sensitivity, 68%; specificity, 93%), respectively. At a cutoff value of 2.5, BALF-GM had a sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 100%, respectively. BALF-GM performs better than serum GM and may be helpful in the diagnosis of CPA in selected patients. More studies are required to confirm our findings.

A CPAnet consensus statement on research priorities for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: a neglected fungal infection that requires attention

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a severe fungal infection with a high morbidity and mortality, and is usually seen in immunocompetent patients with respiratory disorders. Clinical presentation is nonspecific and often overlaps with the symptoms and the radiological pattern caused by the underlying disease. Clinical management of CPA is further hampered by limited information about the epidemiology, disease dynamics, sensitivity and specificity of different mycological tests, mechanisms of antifungal resistance, efficient treatment and management strategies. In order to contribute to a better understanding and to improve CPA patient management and outcome, we established the Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis Network (CPAnet), a self-organized multinational research collaboration. Key research priorities, defined by using a modified Delphi process, include the establishment of a multinational web-based registry, the validation of different diagnostic tests, the establishment of a culture collection from samples of patients with proven CPA and the establishment of a consensus on a treatment outcome definition.

Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Underlying Respiratory Disorders in Cuba-A Pilot Study

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a fungal infection with high mortality and morbidity rates. This disease is caused by several Aspergillus species and affects patients with an underlying respiratory condition. This pilot study aims to recognize CPA among patients with different respiratory diseases. Twenty-one out of 47 patients were classified as CPA based on the examination of clinical signs and symptoms, radiological findings, mycological culture of respiratory samples and analysis of Aspergillus IgG antibodies. There was a close association between high levels of Aspergillus IgG antibodies and the presence of cavities. Although Aspergillus flavus was the predominant species among clinical isolates, the number of isolates was small to reach conclusions on the prevalence of this species as main cause of CPA in Cuba. From the eleven evaluable patients for the treatment with itraconazole (Lozartil®), nine improved their health status while two did not show any recovery. This drug is included in the therapy schemes for aspergillosis in Cuba.

Multicenter Evaluation of a Novel Immunochromatographic Test for Anti-aspergillus IgG Detection

Aspergillus sp. fungi cause various diseases in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. The most frequent Aspergillus disorders include chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), a life-threatening disease that affects at least 3 million people worldwide, and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which affects approximately 4.8 million severe asthmatic patients globally. Diagnosis of such diseases involves IgG serological testing; however, the currently available anti-Aspergillus IgG detection assays are inappropriate for resource-poor laboratory settings, as they are expensive, rely on automated procedures, and require stable electrical power. Therefore, accurate CPA or ABPA diagnosis facilities are lacking in most low- and middle-income countries. We evaluated a novel anti-Aspergillus antibody immunochromatographic test (ICT) that requires minimal laboratory equipment. Two evaluations were performed: a single-center 4-month prospective study in a French reference laboratory (44 cases/257 patients) and a retrospective study in five French reference laboratories (262 cases and 188 controls). We estimated the ICT indices for the diagnosis of chronic aspergillosis, and the test results were compared to those of anti-Aspergillus IgG immunoblot (IB) assay. Of the 713 patients included in the study, 306 had chronic aspergillosis. Test sensitivity and specificity were 88.9% (95%CI[85–92]) and 96.3% (95%CI[94–98]) for the ICT and 93.1% (95%CI[90–96]) and 94.3% (95%CI[92–96]) for the IB, respectively. Agreement between the two assays was almost perfect (kappa = 0.86). As this ICT displays good diagnostic performance and complies with the ASSURED (Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Equipment-free, and Delivered) criteria, we concluded that this anti-Aspergillus antibody ICT can be used to diagnose Aspergillus diseases in resource-poor settings.

Endemic pulmonary fungal diseases in immunocompetent patients: an emphasis on thoracic imaging

INTRODUCTION

Systemic endemic mycoses are prevalent in specific geographical areas of the world and are responsible for high rates of morbidity and mortality in these populations, and in immigrants and travelers returning from endemic regions. The most common fungal infections that can affect the lungs of immunocompetent patients include histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, blastomycosis, sporotrichosis, aspergillosis, and cryptococcosis. Diagnosis and management of these diseases remain challenging, especially in non-endemic areas due to the lack of experience. Therefore, recognition of the various radiologic manifestations of pulmonary fungal infections associated with patients' clinical and epidemiologic history is imperative for narrowing the differential diagnosis. Areas covered: This review discusses the clinical and radiological findings of the main endemic fungal diseases affecting the lungs in immunocompetent patients. Specific topics discussed are their etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, methods of diagnosis, pathology and main imaging findings, especially in computed tomography. Expert commentary: Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary fungal infection and may reveal useful signs. Although definitive diagnosis cannot be made based on imaging features alone, the use of a combination of epidemiologic, clinical and imaging findings may permit the formulation of an adequate differential diagnosis.

Monitoring treatment response in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: role of clinical, spirometric and immunological markers

OBJECTIVES

The treatment response in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is usually assessed based on the improvement in clinical and imaging findings. Herein, we evaluate serum Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgG, serum galactomannan, weight change, and lung function for assessing treatment response in subjects with CPA.

METHODS

We categorized treatment response as favourable (improved or stable clinical response with radiologically improved or stable disease) or unfavourable (worsening of symptoms or radiological progression) after 6 months of treatment with antifungal azoles. We measured A. fumigatus-specific IgG, serum galactomannan, weight, and lung function at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months in those with favourable and unfavourable treatment response.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-six consecutive treatment-naïve subjects (53.2% (67/126) males; mean ± SD age, 42.3 ± 14.7 years) with CPA were included. One hundred and six and 20 were classified as having favourable and unfavourable response, respectively. After 6 months of treatment, the decline in serum A. fumigatus-specific IgG (n = 119) was similar in those with favourable or unfavourable response (mean ± SD, -26.3 ± 45.5 mgA/L vs. -3.4 ± 65.6 mgA/L; p 0.20). There was no significant change in the serum galactomannan (favourable vs. unfavourable: mean ± SD, -0.11 ± 2.8 vs. -0.62 ± 2; p 0.92) or FEV1 (favourable vs. unfavourable: mean ± SD, 24 ± 250 mL vs. -62 ± 154 mL; p 0.19) after 6 months of treatment. There was significant loss of weight (mean ± SD, -2.5 ± 4.5 kg) in subjects with unfavourable response.

CONCLUSION

Serum A. fumigatus-specific IgG and serum galactomannan inconsistently decrease following treatment and may not be useful indicators for monitoring treatment response in CPA. Similarly, there is little change in pulmonary function following treatment. A gain in body weight is seen in those with favourable response.

Acute kidney injury: an unusual complication of posaconazole use

Triazole antifungals are useful in the treatment of Aspergillus disease and these drugs have side effects which clinicians should be aware of. Posaconazole is an orally administered second-generation triazole antifungal agent which inhibits lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase, an enzyme that converts lanosterol to ergosterol, a vital component of the fungal cell membrane. Posaconazole has a favorable side effect profile, is safe and well tolerated when compared to the earlier generation of triazole antifungals. Common side effects of posaconazole include gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, neurological, and skin and subcutaneous disorders. Renal disorders are classed as an uncommon side effect of posaconazole, occurring in ∼0.1-1% of patients. We describe 2 episodes of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a Caucasian whose Aspergillus lung disease was being treated with posaconazole. Regular monitoring of renal function may be necessary for patients on posaconazole to facilitate early identification of acute kidney injury which is reversible.

Optimization of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Diseases Based on Association Analysis Under the Background of Regional Integration

In order to improve medical quality, shorten hospital stays, and reduce redundant treatment, an optimization of diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases based on association analysis under the background of regional integration in the paper was proposed, which was to expand the scope of application of the clinical pathway standard diagnosis and treatment program in the context of regional medical integration and mass medical data, so that it had a larger group of patients within the region. In the context of regional medical integration, owing to the types of medical data were diverse, the preprocessing requirements and process specifications for diagnosis and treatment data were firstly proposed. At the stage of diagnosis and treatment unit optimization, the correlation between clinical behaviors was analyzed by using association rules of the FP-growth and Apriori algorithm. Through the optimization and combination of diagnosis and treatment units, the optimized clinical pathway was finally achieved. Experiments showed that after the optimization strategy by the paper proposed, the clinical path diagnosis and treatment achieved obvious improvement in medical quality under the condition that the medical cost was basically flat.

Isavuconazole and voriconazole for the treatment of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis: A retrospective comparison of rates of adverse events

BACKGROUND

Long-term oral triazole antifungal therapy is the cornerstone of management for patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Itraconazole is the first-line choice of treatment. Voriconazole, posaconazole or isavuconazole can be used as alternative treatments in case of resistance or intolerance. All of these can cause significant adverse drug reactions.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate how CPA patients tolerate voriconazole and isavuconazole after prior triazole therapy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study at the UK National Aspergillosis Centre. Medical records for all consecutive CPA patients started on isavuconazole and voriconazole during an observation period of 12 and 6 months respectively were analysed.

RESULTS

During this study period, 20 patients were started on isavuconazole and 21 patients on voriconazole. Adverse events were seen in 18 of 21 (86%) the patients in the voriconazole group and 12 of 20 (60%) in the isavuconazole group (P = 0.02). For those who developed adverse events to these agents, the rates of discontinuation of therapy were comparable (ie 10/18 [56%], voriconazole vs 8/12 [67%], isavuconazole; P = 0.54). Five (25%) patients in the isavuconazole group who were intolerant to other triazoles tolerated the standard dose of isavuconazole.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with isavuconazole, adverse events were significantly higher in CPA patients commenced on voriconazole. Isavuconazole may be an option for those patients who are intolerant to other triazoles.

Chronic Cavitary Infections Other than Tuberculosis: Clinical Aspects

Lung cavitation may be due to infectious or noninfectious pathologic processes. The latter category includes nonmalignant conditions, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and malignant conditions, such as squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Infectious etiologies that produce lung cavitation usually cause chronic illness, although some, particularly pyogenic bacteria, may produce acute cavitary disease. Tuberculosis is the most common cause of chronic pulmonary infection with cavitation. The goal of this review was to highlight a selection of the better-known infectious agents, other than tuberculosis, that can cause chronic lung disease with cavitation. Emphasis is placed on the following organisms: nontuberculous mycobacteria, Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Paracoccidioides, Aspergillus, Burkholderia pseudomallei, Paragonimus westermani, and Rhodococcus equi. These organisms generally produce clinical features and radiologic findings that overlap or mimic those of tuberculosis. In a companion article, we have further emphasized aspects of the same conditions that are more pertinent to radiologists.

Radiology of Chronic Cavitary Infections

Chronic cavitary lung disease is an uncommon manifestation of pulmonary infection, and is a pattern which worldwide is most commonly caused by reactivation tuberculosis. Other organisms, however, can cause similar radiologic patterns. Endemic fungi have long been recognized as potential causes of this pattern in North and South America, but the frequency with which these diseases present with chronic cavities in North America is relatively small. Nontuberculous mycobacteria and chronic aspergillus infections are recognized with increasing frequency as causes of this pattern. Melioidosis, a bacterial infection that can also cause chronic lung cavities, was previously understood to be relevant primarily in Southeast Asia, but is now understood to have a wider geographic range. While cultures, serologies, and other laboratory methods are key to identifying the infectious causes of chronic lung cavities, radiologic evaluation can contribute to the diagnosis. Differentiating the radiologic patterns of these diseases from reactivation tuberculosis depends on subtle differences in imaging findings and, in some cases, appreciation of underlying lung disease.

Chronic Nodular Pulmonary Aspergillosis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, which features nodular lesions known as Aspergillus nodules, is a relatively uncommon disorder. We herein report a case of slowly progressing chronic multiple nodular pulmonary aspergillosis in a 59-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis, dyspnea, and fatigue. One nodule was surgically resected. The surgical specimen featured central necrosis and was located adjacent to a respiratory bronchiole and pulmonary artery, without parenchymal invasion. Branching septate hyphae, compatible with Aspergillus, were seen inside this necrotic nodule. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who present with slowly progressing pulmonary multiple nodules.

Imaging of Pulmonary Infections

Pulmonary infections have always been a cause of high morbidity and mortality, particularly in the pediatric and geriatric population and in immunocompromised hosts [1]. Pulmonary infections have various etiologies and have variegated patterns on radiographs and computed tomography (CT). Imaging plays an important role in the initial diagnosis and follow-up of various lung infections. Radiographs can be normal or non-specific during the initial evaluation, and CT findings may be more definitive. CT not only helps with the diagnosis but can also aid in management by guiding the diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. The pulmonary infections spread by direct or indirect contact with the infected host, droplet transmission, or an airborne spread. In rare cases, some infections can also be transmitted by vectors, namely, insect or animal hosts, and rarely by direct invasion from nearby infected organs. Pulmonary infections may have typical imaging patterns and distribution based on the mode of spread. There are a number of well-described imaging patterns of alveolar infections. The localization and morphological features on imaging may help in the diagnosis of infection and identification of mode of infection and, in certain cases, the microorganism responsible for the infection.

Improving the rates of Aspergillus detection: an update on current diagnostic strategies

INTRODUCTION

The spectrum of disease caused by Aspergillus spp. is dependent on the immune system of the host, and ranges from invasive aspergillosis (IA) to chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Early and reliable diagnosis of Aspergillus disease is important to decrease associated morbidity and mortality. Areas covered: The following review will give an update on current diagnostic strategies for the diagnosis of IA and CPA. Expert commentary: Several new diagnostics for IA (including point-of-care tests) are now available to complement galactomannan testing. In particular, immunoPET/MRI imaging may be a promising approach for diagnosing IA in the near future. Notably, nearly all new biomarkers and tests for IA have been evaluated in the hematology setting only. Validation of biomarkers and tests is therefore needed for the increasing proportion of patients who develop IA outside the hematology setting. As an important first step, reliable definitions of IA are needed for non-hematology settings as clinical presentation and radiologic findings differ in these settings. CPA diagnosis is based on a combination of radiological findings in chest CT, mycological evidence (e.g. by the Aspergillus-specific IgG assay), exclusion of alternative diagnosis and chronicity. ([18F]FDG) PET/CT and immuno PET/MRI imaging are promising new imaging approaches.

A retrospective study of factors associated with treatment decision for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in adults without altered systemic immunity

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung diseases are increasingly recognized as chronic opportunistic infections, occurring in individuals with a wide variety of underlying conditions. In the absence of systemic immunodeficiency, decision of NTM lung disease treatment must relies on a careful risk/benefit assessment, given the requirement of long-term administration of multidrug therapies supported by limited evidence. The primary objective was to identify the factors associated with anti-NTM treatment initiation. Clinical and radiological outcome upon treatment were studied.

Methods

This retrospective, single center study (2013–2016, 45 months) addressed the criteria supporting treatment decision among adults with NTM lung disease without systemic immunodeficiency at our institution, with the assigned goal to harmonize the practice. All patients matched the current international definitions of NTM lung disease according to the American Thoracic Society criteria. Factors associated with anti-NTM treatment were investigated by conditional logistic regression. Clinical and radiological outcomes of treated and untreated NTM-disease cases were examined. Mortality rate was assessed. An expert radiologist conducted a blinded computed tomography (CT)-scan review of the treated and untreated patients.

Results

Among 51 cases of NTM lung diseases, 25 (49%) received anti-NTM treatment. In univariate analysis, a body mass index (BMI) < 18 kg/m² (odds ratio (OR), 4.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–15.2]; p = 0.042), hemoptysis (OR, 11.8 [95% CI 1.35–12.9]; p = 0.026), excavation(s) (OR, 4.8 [95% CI 1.4–16.4], p = 0.012), prior anti-NTM treatment (OR, 5.65 [95% CI 1.06–29.9]; p = 0.042), Aspergillus spp. co-infection (OR, 6.3 [95% CI 1.8–22.2]; p = 0.004) were associated with treatment initiation. In multivariate analysis, Aspergillus spp. co-infection was the only independent determinant of treatment initiation (OR, 5.3 [95% CI 1.1–25.4]; p = 0.036). Twenty-one (81%) patients received ≥3 anti-NTM drugs. Median treatment duration and follow-up were 36.3 (interquartile range [IQR], 13.1–64.4) weeks and 17.1 (IQR, 8.7–27.1) months, respectively. Regarding radiological outcome, 85 CT-scans were reviewed, showing similar rates of regression or stabilization in treated and untreated patients. Overall mortality rate was not different in treated and untreated patients.

Conclusion

The most relevant variable associated with anti-NTM treatment initiation was Aspergillus spp. co-infection. Radiological regression or stabilization of pulmonary lesions was not different between the treated and untreated patients.

False positive bronchoalveolar lavage galactomannan: Effect of host and cut-off value

OBJECTIVES

Bronchoalveolar lavage galactomannan (BAL-GM) is a mycological criterion for diagnosis of probable invasive aspergillosis (IA) per European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer/Mycoses Study Group (EORT-MSG) consensus criteria, but its real-world positive predictive value (PPV) has not been well-studied. Our aim was to estimate the PPV of BAL-GM in a contemporary cohort of patients with positive BAL-GM.

METHODS

We identified consecutive patients with ≥1 positive BAL-GM value (index ≥ 0.5) at Brigham and Women's Hospital from 11/2009 to 3/2016. We classified patients as having no, possible, probable, or proven IA, excluding BAL-GM as mycological criterion.

RESULTS

We studied 134 patients: 54% had hematologic malignancy (HM), and 10% were solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. A total of 42% of positive (≥0.5) BAL-GM results were falsely positive (PPV 58%). The number of probable IA cases was increased by 23% using positive BAL-GM as mycologic criterion alone. PPV was higher in patients with HM or SOT (P < 0.001) and with use of higher thresholds for positivity (BAL-GM ≥ 1 vs 1-0.8 vs 0.8-0.5: P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

42% of positive BAL-GM values were falsely positive. We propose a critical reassessment of BAL-GM cutoff values in different patient populations. Accurate noninvasive tests for diagnosis of IA are urgently needed.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Hemoptysis

BACKGROUND

Hemoptysis, i.e., the expectoration of blood from the lower airways, has an annual incidence of approximately 0.1% in ambulatory patients and 0.2% in inpatients. It is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency and carries a high mortality.

METHODS

This review article is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed.

RESULTS

Hemoptysis can be a sign of many different diseases. Its cause remains unknown in about half of all cases. Its more common recognized causes include infectious and inflammatory airway diseases (25.8%) and cancer (17.4%). Mild hemoptysis is self-limited in 90% of cases; massive hemoptysis carries a worse prognosis. In patients whose life is threatened by massive hemoptysis, adequate oxygenation must be achieved through the administration of oxygen, positioning of the patient with the bleeding side down (if known), and temporary intubation if necessary. A thorough diagnostic evaluation is needed to identify the underlying pathology, site of bleeding, and vascular anatomy, so that the appropriate treatment can be planned. The evaluation should include conventional chest x-rays in two planes, contrastenhanced multislice computerized tomography, and bronchoscopy. Hemostasis can be achieved at bronchoscopically accessible bleeding sites with interventionalbronchoscopic local treatment. Bronchial artery embolization is the first line of treatment for hemorrhage from the pulmonary periphery; it is performed to treat massive or recurrent hemoptysis or as a presurgical measure and provides successful hemostasis in 75-98% of cases. Surgery is indicated if bronchial artery embolization alone is not successful, or for special indications (traumatic or iatrogenic pulmonary/vascular injury, refractory asper gilloma).

CONCLUSION

The successful treatment of hemoptysis requires thorough diagnostic evaluation and close interdisciplinary collaboration among pulmonologists, radiologists, and thoracic surgeons.

[Current therapeutic options in invasive mycosis and potential therapeutic role of isavuconazole]

The treatment of invasive fungal infections has deeply evolved in recent years with the inclusion of new antifungals to the therapeutic treatment arsenal. A new azole, isavuconazole, has been recently approved. This review focuses on the role of isavuconazole for treating the most important invasive fungal infections: invasive candidiasis, aspergillosis, mucormicosis, infections caused by other filamentous fungi and those caused by dimorphic fungi.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis following pulmonary embolism

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is predominantly found alongside cavitating or bullous lung diseases. Although pulmonary embolism may cause cavitation, an association with CPA has not been well described. We describe a case of CPA in a 79-year-old female following bilateral pulmonary emboli. The clinical implications are numerous, including the dilemma of anticoagulation. This link suggests that a lower threshold for suspecting CPA following pulmonary embolus is required, even in the absence of other respiratory disease.

[Aspergillus in airway material : Ignore or treat?]

Fungi of the genus Aspergillus are ubiquitously present. Even though humans inhale Aspergillus spores daily under natural conditions, Aspergillus-associated pulmonary diseases only occur under special circumstances. Whether an Aspergillus-associated disease develops and which type of Aspergillus-associated disease develops depends on the constitution of the host. The spectrum of Aspergillus-associated pulmonary diseases ranges from allergic diseases, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis to allergic infectious diseases, such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and bronchocentric granulomatosis (BG) to infectious diseases, such as invasive (IA) or semi-invasive aspergillosis (SIA) and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). Identification of Aspergillus spp. from sputum or bronchopulmonary secretions is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis of Aspergillus-associated infections. The gold standard is the identification of Aspergillus spp. from lung tissue by culture or by histopathological methods; however, in clinical practice the decision to initiate antifungal therapy is more often based on immunological methods, such as the detection of Aspergillus-specific IgG antibodies from peripheral blood or galactomannan antigens from bronchoalveolar lavages. Acute IA or SIA infections have a high mortality and require immediate antifungal therapy. With rare exceptions CPA cannot be cured by medicinal therapy alone; however, active CPA can be brought into remission with antifungal therapy. Eradication of Aspergillus in CPA can as a rule only be successful using a combined antimycotic and surgical intervention.

Is adjuvant antifungal therapy after video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma necessary?

Background

The aim of this current retrospective study was to assess the necessity of postoperative antifungal therapy for pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lung resection.

Methods

We enrolled 22 PA patients who underwent VATS lung resection between 2014 and 2018. Of these, 12 patients were prescribed antifungal agents during the perioperative period (group A), and the other 10 were treated with surgery alone without any antifungal therapy postoperatively (group B). All patients were immunocompetent.

Results

Seven patients (58.3%) developed postoperative complications in group A, including 2 cases of empyema (16.7%), 1 case of bronchopleural fistula (8.3%), 1 case of pneumonia (8.3%), 1 case of wound infection (8.3%), 1 case of bleeding (8.3%) and 1 case of atelectasis (8.3%). In group B, 3 patients (30%) developed postoperative complications, including 2 cases of pneumonia (20%) and 1 case of empyema (10%). There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to postoperative complications rates (P=0.23). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 38 months (a median of 19 months), during which no hospital deaths, recurrence of disease or lesion relapses were noted in either group.

Conclusions

Our results suggested that postoperative adjuvant antifungal therapy has limited advantages for the surgical treatment of PA in immunocompetent patients.

Evaluation of a quantitative serum Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgM assay for diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

BACKGROUND

The early diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) remains challenging. Currently, a new quantitative IgM antibody assay that enveloped purified galactomannan extracted from Aspergillus fumigatus as antigen was commercially available in China, but its diagnostic value remains to be established.

METHODS

To evaluate the role of this commercial IgM assay for diagnosis of CPA, a multi-center prospective study was performed in 12 hospitals in Zhejiang Province, from January 1 to December 31, 2016. Adult inpatients without severe immunocompromised condition and those with persistent clinical symptoms/radiological findings ≥3 months or a consistent appearance in chest CT that was suggestive of CPA were included. The clinical data were compiled using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 87 cases were enrolled, including 43 CPA. The sensitivity ranged from 16.3% to 46.5%, and the specificity from 77.3% to 95.5% when cutoffs were from 50 to 80 arbitrary unit (AU)/mL. The receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.627. When a cutoff of 38.12 AU/mL was applied, the sensitivity and specificity were 69.8% and 56.8%, respectively, which represents the best performance.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this study was the first to evaluate this commercial A. fumigatus-specific IgM antibody assay in CPA patients in China and indicates that this IgM assay has a limited value and should not be a prior recommendation for CPA diagnosis.

Evaluation of Galactomannan Testing, the Aspergillus-Specific Lateral-Flow Device Test and Levels of Cytokines in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for Diagnosis of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Background: Diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is challenging. Symptoms are unspecific or missing, radiological findings are variable and proof of mycological evidence is limited by the accuracy of diagnostic tests. The goal of this study was to investigate diagnostic performance of galactomannan (GM), the newly formatted Aspergillus-specific lateral-flow-device test (LFD), and a number of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples obtained from patients with CPA, patients with respiratory disorders without CPA and healthy individuals.

Methods: Patients with CPA (n = 27) and controls (n = 27 with underlying respiratory diseases but without CPA, and n = 27 healthy volunteers) were recruited at the Medical University of Graz, Austria and the Research Center Borstel, Germany between 2010 and 2018. GM, LFD and cytokine testing was performed retrospectively at the Research Center Borstel.

Results: Sensitivity and specificity of GM testing from BALF with a cut off level of ≥0.5 optical density index (ODI) was 41 and 100% and 30 and 100% with a cut off level of ≥1.0 ODI. ROC curve analysis showed an AUC 0.718 (95% CI 0.581–0.855) for GM for differentiating CPA patients to patients with other respiratory diseases without CPA. The LFD resulted positive in only three patients with CPA (7%) and was highly specific. CPA patients did not differ significantly in the BALF cytokine profile compared to patients with respiratory disorders without CPA, but showed significant higher values for IFN-γ, IL-1b, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α compared to healthy individuals.

Conclusion: Both GM and LFD showed insufficient performance for diagnosing CPA, with sensitivities of BALF GM below 50%, and sensitivity of the LFD below 10%. The high specificities may, however, result in a high positive predictive value and thereby help to identify semi-invasive or invasive disease.

The Serum Level of IL-1B Correlates with the Activity of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Background

Until now, there have been no objective criteria to determine the activity of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). This study aims to analyze the correlation between serum level of IL-1B and the activity of CPA and to determine whether serum IL-1B could be used to assess the activity of CPA.

Methods

A total of 469 newly diagnosed CPA patients were enrolled. Correlation analysis in the whole subjects showed that only IL-1B level was associated with the activity of CPA. Then, 381 cases with factors significantly affecting IL-1B expression was excluded through multiple linear regression; the remaining 88 patients were divided into high IL-1B group and low IL-1B group, according to the median value of serum IL-1B, for subgroup analysis. A retrospective comparative analysis was subsequently performed between the two groups, including the clinical manifestation, microbiology and laboratory tests results, and imaging findings. We further investigated the relationship between IL-1B levels and CT characteristic which acted as the indicator of CPA activity, as well as changes in IL-1B level before and after surgery.

Results

For all patients, correlation analysis revealed that IL-1B level correlated with both cavitary diameter (P=0.035) and aspergilloma size (P<0.047) but not with the thickness of the cavity (P=0.479). In subgroup comparative analysis, CT characteristics suggested that high activity of CPA, such as cavitary (27/44 vs 13/44, P=0.003) and aspergilloma lesions (25/44 vs. 11/44, P<0.002), were more frequently found in high IL-1B group. The cavity diameter (P<0.001), aspergilloma size (P=0.006), and cavity wall thickness (P=0.023) were significantly different between the two groups. When Spearman correlation analysis was performed once again in subgroup, an even stronger relationship of serum IL-1B with the cavity diameter (Rs=0.501, P=0.002) and aspergilloma size (Rs=0.615, P=0.001) was observed. Interestingly, a significant reduction of IL-1B level was observed after successful resection of CPA lesions.

Conclusion

Higher level of serum IL-1B is associated with more severe cavitary and aspergilloma lesions, which are indicative of more active CPA. In addition, IL-1B level reduced accordingly after lesion resection. Measuring IL-1B level therefore could be served as a convenient method to monitor the activity of CPA and be a potential predictive/prognostic marker for treatment response.

A Prospective Real-World Study of the Impact of an Antifungal Stewardship Program in a Tertiary Respiratory-Medicine Setting

There has been an increase in fungal infections in patients with chronic lung disease over the past decades, which is associated with rapidly increasing costs to health care systems. An antifungal stewardship team was introduced to a tertiary cardiopulmonary hospital, consisting of a medical mycologist and pharmacy support providing weekly stewardship ward rounds, twice-monthly multidisciplinary team meetings, and a dedicated weekly outpatient clinic. A database was set up to record the activity of the stewardship team. During the first 18 months of implementation, the antifungal stewardship team had reviewed 178 patients, with 285 recommendations made to inpatients, and 287 outpatient visits. The commonest diagnoses treated were allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Cystic fibrosis was the largest patient group treated, followed by asthma and interstitial lung disease. There was a significant sustained reduction in monthly antifungal expenditure (P = 0.005) by £130,000 per month. There was also a significant reduction in antifungal use, measured as the defined daily dose/100 bed days (P = 0.017). There were no significant changes in expenditure on diagnostic tests. There has been a trend toward more patients having therapeutic levels of voriconazole (P = 0.086) and a significant increase in therapeutic levels of posaconazole (P < 0.0001). This study shows that an effective antifungal stewardship program can significantly reduce expenditure in a specialist respiratory service.

Treatment of Aspergillosis

Infections caused by Aspergillus spp. remain associated with high morbidity and mortality. While mold-active antifungal prophylaxis has led to a decrease of occurrence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in those patients most at risk for infection, breakthrough IA does occur and remains difficult to diagnose due to low sensitivities of mycological tests for IA. IA is also increasingly observed in other non-neutropenic patient groups, where clinical presentation is atypical and diagnosis remains challenging. Early and targeted systemic antifungal treatment remains the most important predictive factor for a successful outcome in immunocompromised individuals. Recent guidelines recommend voriconazole and/or isavuconazole for the primary treatment of IA, with liposomal amphotericin B being the first alternative, and posaconazole, as well as echinocandins, primarily recommended for salvage treatment. Few studies have evaluated treatment options for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), where long-term oral itraconazole or voriconazole remain the treatment of choice.

Recent Advances in Diagnosing Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Purpose: The diagnosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is occasionally complicated due to poor sensitivity of mycological culture and colonization of Aspergillus species in the airway. Several diagnostic methods have been developed for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis; however, their interpretation and significance are different in CPA. This study aimed to review the recent advances in diagnostic methods and their characteristics in the diagnosis of CPA.

Recent findings: Radiological findings of lung, histopathology, and culture are the gold standard of CPA diagnosis. Serodiagnosis methods involving the use of galactomannan and β-D-glucan have low sensitivity and specificity. An Aspergillus-specific IgG antibody assay showed good performance and had better sensitivity and reproducibility than conventional precipitant antibody assays. Currently, it is the most reliable method for diagnosing CPA caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, but evidence on its effectiveness in diagnosing CPA caused by non-fumigatus Aspergillus is lacking. Newly developed lateral flow device Aspergillus and detection of volatile organic compounds in breath have potential, but evidence on its effectiveness in diagnosing CPA is lacking. The increasing prevalence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains has become a threat to public health. Some of the azole-resistant-related genes can be detected directly from clinical samples using a commercially available kit. However, its clinical efficacy for routine use remains unclear, since resistance-related genes greatly differ among regions and countries.

Conclusion: Several issues surrounding the diagnosis of CPA remain unclear. Hence, further investigations and clinical studies are needed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of CPA diagnosis.

Aspergillus PCR in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Aspergillosis in Patients With Hematological and Non-hematological Conditions

Objectives: We evaluated the usefulness of an Aspergillus fumigatus quantitative PCR assay performed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) for the diagnosis and prognosis of both invasive and non-invasive aspergillosis. Methods: This 4-year retrospective study involved 613 at-risk patients who had either hematological disorders or other immunosuppressive conditions, notably solid organ transplants. Thirty-five patients had proven/probable aspergillosis and thirteen had chronic non-invasive aspergillosis. We compared PCR, galactomannan index and mycological analysis of BAL. Results: For invasive aspergillosis (IA), PCR performed in BAL yielded 88.6% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity. Comparatively, galactomannan index and mycological examination yielded only 56.3 and 63.6% sensitivity and 97.6 and 94.5% specificity, respectively. Considering the 13 chronic aspergillosis cases, PCR, galactomannan index and mycological examination yielded 76.9, 15.4, and 84.6% sensitivity and 92.2, 94.9, and 93% specificity, respectively. Fungal load in BAL evaluated by PCR was able to discriminate between aspergillosis and contamination, but not between invasive and non-invasive forms. Finally, fungal load was predictive of 90-day mortality, with 23.1% mortality for patients with less than 500 copies/mL versus 68.4% for patients above that cut-off (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that Aspergillus PCR in BAL is of particular interest for both the diagnosis and the prognosis of IA. It is likewise an interesting tool for the diagnosis of non-invasive forms.

The spectrum of pulmonary aspergillosis

Notable progress has been made in the past years in the classification, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary aspergillosis. New criteria were proposed by the Working Group of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology (ISHAM) for the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). The latest classification of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) suggested by the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) has become widely accepted among clinicians. Subacute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is now considered a type of CPA, yet it is still diagnosed and treated similarly to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Isavuconazole, an extended-spectrum triazole, has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of IPA. The most recent Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines strongly recommend reducing mold exposure to patients at high risk for pulmonary aspergillosis. The excessive relapse rate following discontinuation of therapy remains a common reality to all forms of this semi-continuous spectrum of diseases. This highlights the need to continuously reassess patients and individualize therapy accordingly. Thus far, the duration of therapy and the frequency of follow-up have to be well characterized.

Case Definition of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Resource-Constrained Settings

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a recognized complication of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). In 2015, the World Health Organization reported 2.2 million new cases of nonbacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB; some of these patients probably had undiagnosed CPA. In October 2016, the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections convened an international expert panel to develop a case definition of CPA for resource-constrained settings. This panel defined CPA as illness for >3 months and all of the following: 1) weight loss, persistent cough, and/or hemoptysis; 2) chest images showing progressive cavitary infiltrates and/or a fungal ball and/or pericavitary fibrosis or infiltrates or pleural thickening; and 3) a positive Aspergillus IgG assay result or other evidence of Aspergillus infection. The proposed definition will facilitate advancements in research, practice, and policy in lower- and middle-income countries as well as in resource-constrained settings.

Detection of Polish clinical Aspergillus fumigatus isolates resistant to triazoles

We studied the presence of triazole resistance of 121 Aspergillus fumigatus clinical isolates collected in two Polish cities, Warsaw and Wrocław, to determine if resistance is emerging in our country. We identified five itraconazole resistant isolates (4.13%) carrying the TR34/L98H alteration in Cyp51A gene, four of which were cross-resistant to posaconazole and one to voriconazole. One isolate was intermediate susceptible to itraconazole and harbored no Cyp51A alterations. The study confirms the presence of azole resistant A. fumigatus strains in Poland at a level that is comparative to other European countries.

The pathogenicity ofAspergillus fumigatus, drug resistance, and nanoparticle delivery

The genus Aspergillus includes fungal species that cause major health issues of significant economic importance. These microorganisms are also the culprit for production of carcinogenic aflatoxins in grain storages, contaminating crops, and economically straining the production process. Aspergillus fumigatus is a very important pathogenic species, being responsible for high human morbidity and mortality on a global basis. The prevalence of these infections in immunosuppressed individuals is on the rise, and physicians struggle with the diagnosis of these deadly pathogens. Several virulence determinants facilitate fungal invasion and evasion of the host immune response. Metabolic functions are also important for virulence and drug resistance, since they allow fungi to obtain nutrients for their own survival and growth. Following a positive diagnostic identification, mortality rates remain high due, in part, to emerging resistance to frequently used antifungal drugs. In this review, we discuss the role of the main virulence, drug target, and drug resistance determinants. We conclude with the review of new technologies being developed to treat aspergillosis. In particular, microsphere and nanoparticle delivery systems are discussed in the context of improving drug bioavailability. Aspergillus will likely continue to cause problematic infections in immunocompromised patients, so it is imperative to improve treatment options.

Pentraxin 3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma in non-neutropenic patients with pulmonary aspergillosis

OBJECTIVES

Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) contributes to resistance to Aspergillus infections. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of PTX3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and plasma in non-neutropenic patients with pulmonary aspergillosis.

METHODS

BALF (n = 211) and plasma samples (n = 307) were collected from patients initially suspected of having pulmonary aspergillosis. Among these, 112 cases (51 BALF samples and 89 plasma samples) were proven to be pulmonary aspergillosis. These cases were classified as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), subacute invasive aspergillosis (SAIA) and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). The remaining cases were non-aspergillosis controls and were diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), lung cancer and pulmonary cryptococcosis. Plasma samples from healthy controls (n = 30) were also collected.

RESULTS

The median (interquartile range, IQR) BALF PTX3 for aspergillosis cases was significantly higher than for non-aspergillosis cases: 6.97 (2.91-13.51) ng/mL versus 1.26 (0.76-1.76) ng/mL. When the PTX3 threshold was set at 1.9 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity of BALF PTX3 for aspergillosis were 86.3% (95%CI 83.8-88.4%) and 82.5% (95%CI 79.7-85.0%), respectively. The median (IQR) plasma PTX3 for aspergillosis cases was significantly higher than for non-aspergillosis cases and healthy controls: 7.10 (3.36-9.53) ng/mL versus 1.57 (0.86-2.35) ng/mL versus 1.10 (0.49-1.51) ng/mL. With a PTX3 threshold of 2.3 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity were 79.8% (95%CI 70.1-81.2%) and 72.1% (95%CI 69.5-74.5%) respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

BALF and plasma PTX3 may be biomarkers for differentiating aspergillosis from other conditions such as CAP, lung cancer, and pulmonary cryptococcosis in non-neutropenic patients.

Assessment of posaconazole salvage therapy in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis using predefined response criteria

OBJECTIVES

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a progressive infection that destroys lung tissue in non-immunocompromised patients. First-line therapies for CPA (itraconazole and/or voriconazole) are often curtailed due to toxicity or the development of drug resistance. Posaconazole is a potential alternative for these patients.

METHODS

Use of posaconazole was funded by the National Health Service Highly Specialised National Commissioners on an individual basis for patients who failed or did not tolerate first-line therapy; those who met predefined criteria for improvement at 4 and 6 months (weight gain and/or improvement in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire) continued posaconazole long-term. We recorded response, failure, discontinuation rates, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients received posaconazole as salvage therapy. Thirty-four (44%) achieved targets for continuation of therapy. Fourteen (18%) failed therapy; five (36%) patients did not achieve clinical targets at 4 or 6 months of assessment and nine (64%) developed clinical and/or radiological failure. Twenty-eight (36%) discontinued their trial early; 8 (29%) died and 20 (71%) had significant side effects. One patient was non-compliant and another was lost to follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

Establishing criteria for therapeutic success offered a clear, safe and sustainable method of identifying patients who benefit from additional therapy, and minimised continuation of ineffective therapy in those who did not.

Utility of serum Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen to evaluate the risk of severe acute exacerbation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Recent studies have shown that the microbiome, namely Aspergillus species, play a previously unrecognized role in both stable and exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Galactomannan is a major component of the Aspergillus cell wall that has been widely used as a diagnostic marker.

Objectives

To explore whether serum levels of Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen could be used to evaluate the risk of severe acute exacerbation of COPD (AE-COPD).

Methods

We measured the Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen levels of 191 patients with stable COPD, and examined its clinical relevance including AE-COPD.

Results

There were 77 (40.3%) patients who were positive for serum Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen (≥0.5). High Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen level (≥0.7) was associated with older age and presence of bronchiectasis and cysts on computed tomography images. Compared to patients with low Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen level (<0.7), patients with high Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen level had significantly higher incidence of severe AE-COPD (P = 0.0039, Gray’s test) and respiratory-related mortality (P = 0.0176, log-rank test). Multivariate analysis showed that high Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen level was independently associated with severe AE-COPD (hazard ratio, 2.162; 95% confidence interval, 1.267−3.692; P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Serum Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen was detected in patients with COPD, and elevated serum Aspergillus-galactomannan antigen was associated with severe AE-COPD.

Prognosis of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease (PNTM) is a known risk factor for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). However, few studies have focused on the prognosis of PNTM-associated CPA. In the present investigation, we aimed to elucidate the clinical course and prognostic factors of CPA in patients with PNTM.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the medical records of 62 patients with CPA and a history of PNTM who were admitted to Kinki-chuo Chest Medical Center between 2010 and 2015. Co-morbidities, causative microorganisms, radiological findings, and outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 69.5 years, and the median follow-up period was 4.2 years. The major underlying diseases, other than PNTM and CPA, were old pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and interstitial pneumonia. The most common causative NTM species were Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC; 37 patients; 59.7%) and Mycobacterium kansasii (20 patients; 32.3%). Survival was 83% after 1 year and 61% after 5 years. Use of systemic corticosteroids (hazard ratio: 3.32, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-9.51; P=0.00177) and C-reactive protein levels ≥ 5.0 mg/dL (hazard ratio: 8.96, 95% confidence interval: 2.15-62.9; P=0.0014) at the time of CPA diagnosis were associated with increased over-all mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

CPA frequently developed in patients with MAC and M. kansasii PNTM. The treatment course of PNTM was not associated with all-cause mortality. However, systemic corticosteroid use and high CRP levels were negative prognostic factors of CPA in patients with PNTM. Since the prognosis is poor, early diagnosis and treatment of CPA are important in patients with PNTM.

The scab-like sign: A CT finding indicative of haemoptysis in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis?

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the CT findings that characterise haemoptysis in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA).

METHODS

We retrospectively identified 120 consecutive patients with CPA (84 men and 36 women, 17-89 years of age, mean age 68.4 years) who had undergone a total of 829 CT examinations between January 2007 and February 2017. In the 11 patients who underwent surgical resection, CT images were compared with the pathological results.

RESULTS

The scab-like sign was seen on 142 of the 829 CT scans, specifically, in 87 of the 90 CT scans for haemoptysis and in 55 of the 739 CT scans obtained during therapy evaluation. In 48 of those 55 patients, haemoptysis occurred within 55 days (mean 12.0 days) after the CT scan. In the 687 CT scans with no scab-like sign, there were only three instances of subsequent haemoptysis in the respective patients over the following 6 months. Patients with and without scab-like sign differed significantly in the frequency of haemoptysis occurring after a CT scan (p<0.0001). Pathologically, the scab-like sign corresponded to a fibrinopurulent mass or blood crust.

CONCLUSIONS

The scab-like sign should be considered as a CT finding indicative of haemoptysis.

KEY POINTS

• Haemoptysis is commonly found in patients with CPA. • A CT finding indicative of haemoptysis in CPA patients is described. • Scab-like sign may identify CPA patients at higher risk of haemoptysis.

Diagnosis and management of Aspergillus diseases: executive summary of the 2017 ESCMID-ECMM-ERS guideline

The European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the European Confederation of Medical Mycology and the European Respiratory Society Joint Clinical Guidelines focus on diagnosis and management of aspergillosis. Of the numerous recommendations, a few are summarized here. Chest computed tomography as well as bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with suspicion of pulmonary invasive aspergillosis (IA) are strongly recommended. For diagnosis, direct microscopy, preferably using optical brighteners, histopathology and culture are strongly recommended. Serum and BAL galactomannan measures are recommended as markers for the diagnosis of IA. PCR should be considered in conjunction with other diagnostic tests. Pathogen identification to species complex level is strongly recommended for all clinically relevant Aspergillus isolates; antifungal susceptibility testing should be performed in patients with invasive disease in regions with resistance found in contemporary surveillance programmes. Isavuconazole and voriconazole are the preferred agents for first-line treatment of pulmonary IA, whereas liposomal amphotericin B is moderately supported. Combinations of antifungals as primary treatment options are not recommended. Therapeutic drug monitoring is strongly recommended for patients receiving posaconazole suspension or any form of voriconazole for IA treatment, and in refractory disease, where a personalized approach considering reversal of predisposing factors, switching drug class and surgical intervention is also strongly recommended. Primary prophylaxis with posaconazole is strongly recommended in patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia or myelodysplastic syndrome receiving induction chemotherapy. Secondary prophylaxis is strongly recommended in high-risk patients. We strongly recommend treatment duration based on clinical improvement, degree of immunosuppression and response on imaging.

Risk stratification for the development of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease

BACKGROUND

The number of patients with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease complicated by chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) has been increasing. Additionally, CPA is reportedly associated with mortality in patients with Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease (MAC-LD). In the present study, we aimed to identify risk factors for developing CPA and stratify the risk for CPA development in patients with MAC-LD.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 361 patients newly diagnosed with MAC-LD. Risk factors for CPA development were examined using multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. A risk stratification system was established using the risk factors and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses.

RESULTS

CPA developed in 20 (5.5%) of the 361 patients. Independent risk factors for CPA development included the presence of pulmonary emphysema, baseline steroid use, a serum albumin level <3.5 g/dL, and the presence of MAC-LD cavities. A 4-point scoring system was established to stratify patients into low-risk (0-1 point) and high-risk (2-4 points) groups. The 5-year incidence rates of CPA were 2.2% and 31% in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified independent predictors of CPA development and established a simple risk stratification system for identifying patients with MAC-LD who were at a high risk of developing CPA.

Twelve-month clinical outcomes of 206 patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis

There is a paucity of evidence surrounding the optimal antifungal therapy for use in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) and the duration of therapy remains unclear. We retrospectively evaluated treatment outcomes, including change in quality of life scores (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (QoL)), weight and Aspergillus IgG at 6 and 12 months following initiation of therapy in a cohort of 206 CPA patients referred to the UK National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC), Manchester between April 2013 and March 2015. One hundred and forty-two patients (69%) were azole naïve at presentation and 105 (74%) (Group A) were commenced on itraconazole, 27 (19%) on voriconazole, and 10 (7%) were not treated medically. The remainder (64 patients, 31%) had previously trialled, or remained on, azole therapy at inclusion (Group B) of whom 46 (72%) received itraconazole, 16 (25%) voriconazole, and 2 (3%) posaconazole. Initial therapy was continued for 12 months in 78 patients (48%) of those treated; the azole was changed in 62 (32%) patients and discontinued in 56 (29%) patients for adverse reactions (32, 57%), azole resistance (11, 20%), clinical failure (8, 14%) or clinical stability (5, 9%). Azole discontinuation rates were higher in Group B than in Group A (42% vs. 22%, p = 0.003). For all patients who survived, weight increased (median of 62.2Kg at baseline, to 64.8 at 12 months), mean Aspergillus IgG declined from 260 (baseline) to 154 (12 months) and QoL improved from 62.2/100 (baseline) to 57.2/100 (12 months). At 12 months, there was no difference in median survival between Groups A and B (95% vs. 91%, p = 0.173). The rate of emergence of resistance during therapy was 13% for itraconazole compared to 5% for voriconazole. Bronchial artery embolization was done in 9 (4.4%) patients and lobectomy in 7 (3.2%). The optimal duration of azole therapy in CPA is undetermined due to the absence of evidenced based endpoints allowing clinical trials to be undertaken. However we have demonstrated itraconazole and voriconazole are modestly effective for CPA, especially if given for 12 months, but fewer than 50% of patients manage this duration. This suggests extended therapy may be required for demonstrable clinical improvement.

[Post-traumatic pulmonary aspergilloma]

INTRODUCTION

Aspergillomas occur due to colonization of a pre-existing pulmonary, bronchial or pleural cavity by Aspergillus spp. Often asymptomatic, this pathology can reveal itself by recurrent haemoptysis or when bacterial superinfections occur. Aspergillomas occurring in post-traumatic cavities are rare and their management is poorly codified.

CASE REPORT

A child suffered from a chest wound at the age of 13 years. Two years later, investigation of recurrent haemoptysis revealed a residual pneumatocele in the right lower lobe colonized by Aspergillus spp. Initial treatment with systemic azole antifungals was unsuccessful because of digestive and ophthalmological intolerance. Surgical treatment by right lower lobectomy was finally decided on by the multidisciplinary team. This revealed an intrabronchial foreign body of vegetal type with cellulosic reinforcement, causing a polymorphic granulomatous reaction around, and associated with a proliferation of filamentous fungi including Aspergillus fumigatus. Surgery was followed by liposomal amphotericin B treatment for three weeks with a favourable outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical case illustrates the benefits of surgical management of post-traumatic aspergillomas, even in children, in order to eradicate the aspergillus implant and to remove any foreign body to prevent recurrence.