# Beyond the Norm: Atypical Manifestations of Aspergillosis

## TL;DR

This paper presents a rare case of Aspergillus infection appearing as a chest mass in a kidney transplant patient, emphasizing the need to consider fungal infections in unusual clinical presentations.

## Contribution

The paper reports an atypical soft tissue manifestation of Aspergillus infection in an immunocompromised patient.

## Key findings

- Aspergillus infection was confirmed in a chest wall mass via antigen detection and biopsy.
- The case highlights the diagnostic challenges of fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- Histopathological and molecular testing are crucial for accurate diagnosis of atypical fungal infections.

## Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is a significant pathogen responsible for a wide spectrum of pulmonary diseases, ranging from allergic reactions to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. We describe a 62‐year‐old female kidney transplant recipient who presented with chest pain, a right anterior chest wall mass, cough and anorexia of 2 months' duration. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated inflammatory markers, prompting consideration of malignancy and infection. Bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for Aspergillus galactomannan antigen, and biopsy of the chest wall mass confirmed Aspergillus infection. This case represents an unusual manifestation of Aspergillus involving soft tissue. Accurate diagnosis requires histopathological confirmation and molecular testing. This report emphasizes the importance of including fungal infections, particularly Aspergillus species, in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses in immunocompromised patients.

We describe a rare case of Aspergillus infection presenting as a chest mass, underscoring the diagnostic challenges of fungal diseases in immunocompromised patients and highlighting the importance of considering unusual manifestations in clinical practice.