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CASE REPORT
Primary gut aspergillosis in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia: the importance of early suspicion and definitive treatment
  1. Elizabeth Li1,
  2. Hayder Hussein2,
  3. Adil Todiwala2,
  4. Robert Kirby1
  1. 1Department of General Surgery, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
  2. 2Department of Haematology, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, UK
  1. Correspondence to Elizabeth Li, yan.elizabeth.li{at}gmail.com

Summary

Aspergillus infection is a known complication in immunocompromised patients, particularly in those with impaired neutrophil function. The pathophysiology of respiratory tract infection and disseminated disease are well understood, and guidelines exist for early detection and treatment. The gut has been speculated to be the potential portal of entry for Aspergillus, though previous case series outline that this is often discovered late and results in high morbidity and mortality. Early clinical suspicion, with definitive surgical intervention and antifungal treatment with voriconazole, can significantly increase the chances of survival. In this article, the authors discuss a case of primary gut aspergillosis with secondary dissemination in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia who developed serious sequelae.

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