Silent Fungal Invasion: A Case of Aspergillus Brain Abscesses in an Immunocompetent Older Adult Patient

Authors

Jamie T. Abad, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Amanda Darzi, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Kashmira Wani, Henry Ford HealthFollow
Jasmine-Yasmine Omar, Henry Ford HealthFollow

Recommended Citation

Abad JT, Darzi A, Wani K, and Omar J. Silent Fungal Invasion: A Case of Aspergillus Brain Abscesses in an Immunocompetent Older Adult Patient. Cureus 2025;17(6):e86084.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Publication Title

Cureus

Keywords

aspergillus; aspergillus spp; brain abscess; cerebral aspergillosis; unusual presentations of aspergillosis

Abstract

Brain abscesses caused by fungal pathogens are uncommon in immunocompetent individuals. An 84-year-old man presented with fever and headache. Brain imaging identified a nonspecific right frontal lesion. He returned with worsening symptoms and confusion after two weeks, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealing multiple abscesses with ring enhancement. Cultures from surgical resection and drainage samples grew Aspergillus. Despite antifungal therapy, his neurological condition declined. This case highlights the importance of considering fungal pathogens in older patients with nonspecific brain lesions, even without focal neurological symptoms or evidence of a primary infection.

PubMed ID

40530391

Volume

17

Issue

6

First Page

86084

Last Page

86084