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. 2022 Jul 19;46(8):485. doi: 10.1016/j.medine.2020.04.016

From the macro to the micro. Diagnosis at first glance

Desde la macro a la micro. Diagnóstico a primera vista

B Cantan a, I Martin-Loeches a,b,c,
PMCID: PMC9584777  PMID: 35868723

A 51 year old immunocompetent man was admitted to the intensive care unit with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by influenza A infection. He initially responded well to treatment. His respiratory status subsequently deteriorated and he developed multi-organ failure which prompted suspicion of either a bacterial or fungal co-infection, a recognised complication of influenza infection. Bronchoscopy revealed multiple pseudomembranes in the trachea (Fig. 1 ) and right and left main bronchi. Samples from brushings and bronchoalveolar lavage were sent to the laboratory. Culture of these yielded both Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus (Fig. 2 ). Unfortunately despite appropriate treatment the patient progressed to refractory multi-organ failure and died.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Funding

No funding to declare.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest to declare.


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