Invasive Aspergillosis Preceded by Legionella Pneumonia: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review

Abstract

We present 2 autopsy-proven cases of fatal disseminated aspergillosis preceded by pulmonary Legionella infection. Over the 15 yr period from 1978–1993, there were only 8 autopsy cases of disseminated aspergillosis in our institution. Legionella infection is also relatively uncommon in our institution, with only 5 serologically documented infections in the past 3 yr. Two other studies in the literature also reported such dual infection in small case series. Thus, the fact that 25% of our patients dying of disseminated aspergillosis had preceding Legionella infection may not have been a chance event. The possibility of superinfection by Aspergillus should be considered in patients with unexplained deterioration during appropriate treatment for Legionella. (The J Histotechnol 20:371, 1997)

Keywords:

• aspergillosis
• Aspergillus
• dual infection
• Legionella