Primary intestinal aspergillosis resulting in acute intestinal volvulus after autologous stem cell transplantation in a patient with relapsed non-Hodgkin lymphoma: report on a rare infectious complication and a review of the literature.

Objectives

Since primary intestinal aspergillosis is a severe infectious complication with a high morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients, we want to draw attention to this rare entity and the importance of early recognition.

Methods

We report a case of documented primary intestinal aspergillosis in a patient receiving an autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT). Furthermore, this article gives a short reflection on the occurrence of invasive aspergillosis in autologous SCT and the value of serum galactomannan levels based on literature search and linked with the case.

Results

In this case the patient presented on day +8 after autologous SCT for a relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with an acute abdomen with urgent need for surgical intervention. Biopsy revealed the presence of fungal colonies due to aspergillosis and voriconazole was started. Until that day the systematically taken serum galactomannan tests were all negative or pending. Initially there was some resistance to perform surgery in the presence of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia but in the end it provided the definitive diagnosis and should not be delayed. Until now this patient is in good health and retains a complete remission.

Conclusion

With this case, we would like to emphasize that early recognition of primary intestinal aspergillosis is of the utmost importance as it is a rare but serious infectious complication. It should be included in the differential diagnosis of neutropenic patients with sudden onset abdominal pain and ongoing fever, even in the absence of a positive serum galactomannan.