A Peculiar Case of Pneumonia due to <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> in a Child with Cystic Fibrosis and Sensibilization to <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i>

• Main Authors: Laura Peccini, Serena Pennoni, Valeria Mencarini, Marco Saponara, Nicola Palladino, Nicola Principi, Guido Pennoni, Susanna Esposito
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-12-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis; antimicrobial resistance; <i>aspergillus fumigatus</i>; cystic fibrosis; pneumonia
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/1/15
• ISSN: 2076-0817

<i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> plays a major role in pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis. The most common <i>A. fumigatus</i> diseases are those based on immune-mediated response to <i>A. fumigatus</i> antigens; including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). In this condition; the presence of <i>A. fumigatus</i> in the lower respiratory tract triggers an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity response that causes airway inflammation; bronchospasms; and bronchiectasis. This case report describes a ten-year-old male patient suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) in whom the diagnosis of ABPA occurred in association with pneumonia due to <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> more than two weeks after hospitalization. This case is a good example of how difficult the identification of ABPA in CF patients can be and highlights that ABPA can occur in association with co-infections due to other pathogens. In order to avoid the risk of a late ABPA diagnosis, it is imperative that the diagnostic criteria guidelines are reviewed and standardized.