oxalates and Aspergillosis

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Calcium Oxalate; Crystallization; Humans; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; Pneumonectomy

The ubiquitous Aspergillus fungus has numerous manifestations when associated with lung disease (primary Aspergillus pneumonia, aspergilloma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and invasive Aspergillus). This fungus also can colonize preexisting lung disease in an indolent manner and then acutely assume a more invasive nature. Although the species Aspergillus niger is infrequently encountered, the endobronchial visualization of black necrotic debris or a fungus ball or the finding of black acidic sputum or pleural fluid suggests the presence of A niger and the destructive by-product of its fermentation, oxalic acid.

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus niger; Crystallization; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection; Oxalates; Radiography; Thoracic Diseases

Oxalic acid is a fermentation product of Aspergillus. We have measured the oxalic acid level in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids recovered from immunocompromised patients with and without invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. These levels were significantly higher in patients with invasive aspergillosis than in patients with pneumonitis of other causes. Thus, the determination of oxalic acid in bronchoalveolar lavage could be a presumptive argument for invasive aspergillosis until positive fungal cultures or histologic diagnosis; its potential value in monitoring the course of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, particularly under treatment, has to be confirmed in more patients.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aspergillosis; Bronchi; Female; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; Oxalic Acid; Pulmonary Alveoli; Therapeutic Irrigation

A case report involving a pleuropulmonary mixed bacterial infection in association with Aspergillus niger is described. The patient responded to a combination of antibiotics, aerosolized and intravenously administered amphotericin B, and surgery. Aspergillus niger appeared to be a secondary invader and caused lung damage by the production of oxalic acid.

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus niger; Humans; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; Radiography

During a seventeen day period an A. niger fungus ball evolved within a healed tuberculous cavity of a patient. Symptoms were a cough with a chocolate brown expectoration and dyspnea. The patient died and necropsy was performed. Crystals of calcium oxalate were deposited in the cavity lining and in the adjacent tissue of the lung. Fibrosis, mononuclear infiltration and intraalveolar purulent exudate were seen in these tissues. Some small vessels presented recent thrombosis and deposition of calcium oxalate. The bronchus connected with the cavity presented a disrupted epithelial layer, edema, polymorphonuclear infiltration and birefringent crystals. Scattered areas of tubular atrophy, glomerular sclerosis and lymphoid infiltration were seen in the cortex of the kidney. Oxalate crystals were also seen within the renal tubuli.

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus niger; Bronchi; Crystallization; Humans; Kidney Tubules; Lung; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus niger; Humans; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Oxalates

A case of pulmonary Aspergillus niger fungus ball is presented. Crystals of calcium oxalate, presumably derived from oxalic acid produced by the fungus, were deposited in tissues around the fungus ball. The crystals were identified by x-ray diffraction analysis. Histochemical technics for the identification of calcium oxalate were applied, and evaluation of those showed Yasue's silver nitrate-rubeanic acid method to be the most satisfactory. More frequently used methods for identifying calcium salts in tissues may give equivocal reactions. Oxalic acid may cause localized tissue damage, and if this affects blood vessels severe hemorrhage may follow.

Topics: Aspergillosis; Aspergillus; Aspergillus niger; Calcium; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; X-Ray Diffraction

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus; Aspergillus flavus; Aspergillus fumigatus; Bronchitis; Bronchopneumonia; Calcium; Female; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Lymph Nodes; Male; Mediastinum; Mycetoma; Oxalates; Prostatic Neoplasms; Sarcoidosis; Uremia

Topics: Animals; Aspergillosis; Deer; Kidney Diseases; Lung; Male; Oxalates