COLONIZATION OF ASPERGILLUS SPECIES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Alosha Sharma, Dakshina Bisht*, Shukla Das, Ritu Agarwal and V.K.Arora
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Isolation of Aspergillus species from lower respiratory tract samples is the first indication of IPA (Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis) which depends on the underlying condition of the patients. Elderly patients having lower respiratory tract infections are among the risk group of developing invasive disease by Aspergillus spp due to impaired lung conditions. Aims and Objectives: To isolate Aspergillus species from elderly patients having lower respiratory tract infection. Material and Methods: Sputum samples and whole blood samples were collected from elderly patients. Sputum samples were cultured on Sabouraud’s dextrose agar and blood samples were screened for detecting IgE, IgG and IgM specific for Aspergillus. Fungal isolates were confirmed by conventional methods. Results: From the 81 elderly patients, 11 (13 %) Aspergillus spp. were isolated. Of these 4 (5%) patients had raised IgG specific for Aspergillus fumigatus and were clinically categorized as having probable IPA. However, 7 (8%) patients who yielded Aspergillus spp. and negative for serum IgG specific for A.fumigatus were categorized as having possible IPA. Conclusion: Early identification and detection of colonisation in critically ill elderly patients having LRTI is important and treatment should be considered if Aspergillus spp are isolated in their pulmonary secretions.
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