Citation

Jenks JD, Preziosi M. Infect. Dis. Clin. Pract. (Baltim.) 2015; 23(5): 227-230.

Affiliation

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, the University of California, San Diego.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/IPC.0000000000000263

PMID

26392737

Abstract

Near-drowning, a relatively common event, is often complicated by subsequent pneumonia. While endogenous and exogenous bacteria are typical pathogens, rarely fungi are as well. We report a complicated case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in a 30-year-old man after a near-drowning event. We also review the medical literature for similar cases. All cases of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis after near-drowning reported in the literature involve Aspergillus fumigatus. The majority of cases involved submersion in stagnant water after a motor vehicle accident (MVA). Treatment varied considerably, with amphotericin B used in the majority of cases. Morbidity was considerable with prolonged hospitalization occurring in every case, and mortality occurring in fifty percent of the reported cases. Although a rare complication of near-drowning, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis can occur and lead to significant morbidity and mortality. After near-drowning A. fumigatus isolated from the respiratory tract should be assumed to be a true pathogen and treated accordingly.

Language: en