Features of Invasive Aspergillosis Caused by Aspergillus flavus, France, 2012–2018

Abstract

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) caused by Aspergillus flavus remains poorly described. We retrospectively analyzed 54 cases of IA caused by A. flavus reported in France during 2012–2018. Among cases, underlying IA risk factors were malignancy, solid organ transplantation, and diabetes. Most (87%, 47/54) infections were localized, of which 33 were pleuropulmonary and 13 were ear-nose-throat (ENT) infection sites. Malignancy (70% [23/33]) and solid organ transplantation (21% [7/33]) were the main risk factors in localized pulmonary infections, and diabetes mellitus was associated with localized ENT involvement (61.5%, [8/13]). Fungal co-infections were frequent in pulmonary (36%, 12/33) but not ENT IA (0 cases). Antifungal monotherapy was prescribed in 45/50 (90%) cases, mainly voriconazole (67%, 30/45). All-cause 30-day case-fatality rates were 39.2% and 90-day rates were 47.1%, and rates varied according to risk factor, IA site, and fungal co-infections. Clinicians should remain vigilant for A. flavus and consider it in the differential diagnosis for IA.