Eosinophilic Pneumonia Caused by Aspergillus niger: Is Oral Cleansing with Amphotericin B Efficacious in Preventing Relapse of Allergic Pneumonitis?

Abstract

Eosinophilic pneumonia was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid examination and transbronchial lung biopsy. Aspergillus niger was cultured from the patient's pharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Inhalation bronchoprovocation test with A. niger antigen was positive. Although the patient's condition improved promptly with 10 mg/day prednisolone administration, dry cough recurred approximately 2 months after completion of this therapy. Severe coughing disappeared on oral cleansing with 300 mg/day amphotericin B, and he recovered completely on 100 mg/day amphotericin B administration. Oral cleansing with amphotericin B may be efficacious in preventing relapses of eosinophilic pneumonia caused by allergic reaction to fungal antigen.

Keywords:

• Aspergillus niger
• eosinophilic pneumonia
• environmental survey
• bronchoprovocation test
• amphotericin B (oral cleansing)