Isolated cerebral aspergillus abscess as a complication of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a child

Background: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) poses a risk of opportunistic infections with a variety of organisms with Nocardia being the most common pathogen followed by mycobacteria and fungi.

Case presentation: A 7-year-old female child, presented with headache and multiple episodes of vomiting. There was no fever or altered sensorium. On examination, there were no focal deficits or cranial nerve palsies. An MRI brain showed a small T2 hyperintense lesion in the left superior parietal lobe suggestive of an abscess. She was diagnosed as PAP based on CT chest and bronchioloalveolar lavage 7 months earlier and treated with corticosteroids. A left parieto-occipital craniotomy was done with drainage of abscess and abscess wall excision. Histopathology revealed a suppurative lesion with slender septate acute angle branching hyphae which were positive on fungal stains. Culture done on the pus was positive for Aspergillus fumigatus. The patient was treated with voriconazole and stable at 1 year follow-up.

Conclusion: Opportunistic infections are common in patients diagnosed with PAP. High index of clinical suspicion and early diagnosis are important for favorable outcome.

Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus; Cerebral abscess; Opportunistic infection; Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.