Elevated Serum Beta-D-Glucan with Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, and a Partially Acid-Fast Organism in Respiratory Cultures: A Case of Hickam's Dictum Over Occam's Razor

Mycopathologia. 2017 Oct;182(9-10):869-872. doi: 10.1007/s11046-017-0157-1. Epub 2017 Jun 16.

Abstract

We describe a case of a man with ectopic Cushing's syndrome, elevated serum beta-D-glucan, and respiratory cultures with Pseudomonas, Aspergillus, and a partially acid-fast organism. Our case highlights challenges in diagnosis and management of coinfection in an immunocompromised host.

Keywords: Beta-D-glucan; High cortisol state; Immunocompromised host; Partially acid-fast.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus / isolation & purification*
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Cushing Syndrome / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microscopy
  • Middle Aged
  • Nocardia / isolation & purification*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / complications
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / pathology*
  • Pseudomonas / isolation & purification*
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis / complications
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis / pathology*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Serum / chemistry*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • beta-Glucans / blood*

Substances

  • beta-Glucans