Renal aspergillosis secondary to renal intrumentation in immunocompetent patient

Isolated renal aspergilloma

Aspergilloma localised solely to the kidneys is very rare and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We present the case of a 35-year-old male with a background of urolithiasis, type II diabetes and chronic kidney disease, who was found to have isolated renal aspergilloma associated with obstructing uric acid renal tract calculi. After poor progress to clear the fungal infection and remaining stones with ureteroscopy, he was successfully treated by percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) to surgically remove fungal balls and calculi. Additionally, he was treated with peri-operative oral and systemic antifungals and post-operative irrigation of the renal collecting system with amphotericin.

Renal aspergillosis after COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis: A case report

Key Clinical Message

Renal aspergillosis is a rare condition and this case the first case of Renal aspergillosis reported after COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis. Renal symptoms should arise clinical suspicion to renal involvement that happened as a result of hematogenous spreading of pulmonary aspergillosis.

Abstract

Secondary fungal infections are among the most significant complications that can arise after COVID-19 and have the potential to lead to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. As COVID-19 primarily involves the airway, the majority of fungal infections reported have been related to the respiratory system. However, renal aspergillosis that we have reported is a rare condition that also can occur. A 67-year-old man was referred to our hospital and admitted as a COVID-19 patient. After the initial recovery, he experienced a recurrence of fever accompanied by a productive cough. The histopathological studies were conducted on the sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples, which revealed the presence of Aspergillus flavus. We treated the patient with voriconazole and the patient was discharged after a period of time. However, after approximately 6 months, he returned to the hospital with a fever and abdominal pain. We started a fever workup. Two new hypoechoic abscess-like masses were spotted in the right kidney in the ultrasonography (U/S) and the direct molecular studies of the biopsy sample obtained under U/S guidance identified Aspergillus flavus. Although renal aspergillosis is a rare condition, it should not be overlooked, especially in patients with severe COVID-19 and pulmonary aspergillosis, as these conditions can lead to renal aspergillosis, which may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain with fever. Therefore, it is necessary to perform radiological and histopathological studies when renal aspergillosis is suspected.

Isolated renal and urinary tract aspergillosis: a systematic review

Background

Aspergillosis localized to the kidneys and the urinary tract is uncommon. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review to evaluate risk factors and clinical outcomes of patients with isolated renal and genito-urinary tract aspergillosis.

Methods

We systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Embase, African Journal Online, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, covering the period from inception to August 2023 using the key terms 'renal' OR 'kidney*' OR 'prostate' OR 'urinary bladder' OR 'urinary tract*AND 'aspergillosis' OR 'aspergillus' OR 'aspergilloma' OR 'mycetoma'. We included single case reports or case series. Review articles, guidelines, meta-analyses, animal studies, protocols, and cases of genitourinary and /or renal aspergillosis occurring as a part of disseminated disease were excluded.

Results

We identified 91 renal and urinary aspergillosis cases extracted from 76 publications spanning 1925-2023. Among the participants, 79 (86.8%) were male, with a median age of 46 years. Predominantly, presentations consisted of isolated renal infections (74 instances, 81.3%), followed by prostate (5 cases, 5.5%), and bladder (7 cases, 7.7%) involvement. Aspergillus fumigatus (42.9%), Aspergillus flavus (9.9%), and Aspergillus niger/glaucus (1.1% each) were isolated. Underlying risk factors included diabetes mellitus (29.7%), HIV (12.1%), haematological malignancies (11%), and liver cirrhosis (8.8%), while common symptoms encompassed flank pain (36.3%), fever (33%), and lower urinary tract symptoms (20.9%). An autopsy was conducted in 8.8% of cases. Diagnostic work-up involved histopathology (70.5%), renal CT scans and urine microscopy and culture (52.6% each), and abdominal ultrasound (17.9%). Treatments included amphotericin B (34 cases, 37.4%) and azole-based regimens (29 cases, 31.9%). Nephrectomy was performed in 16 of 78 renal cases (20.5%). All-cause mortality was 24.4% (19 cases). No significant mortality rate difference was observed among antifungal regimens (p = 0.739) or nephrectomy status (p = 0.8).

Conclusion

Renal and urinary aspergillosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised and people with diabetes mellitus. While varied treatment strategies were observed, mortality rates showed no significant differences based on treatments or nephrectomy status. Further research is needed to refine diagnostics, optimize treatments, and enhance awareness among clinicians for early detection and management.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023430959.