From cage to cavity: Unmasking chronic pulmonary aspergillosis in a bird rearer
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Siti Nurul Ain Jasmi 1 , Azlina Ishak 1 * , Salziyan Badrin 1
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1 Department of Family Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, MALAYSIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a chronic fungal disease caused by aspergillus species frequently affecting immunocompromised patients or those with underlying lung disease. We present a 53-year-old Malay man with well-managed diabetes who presented with three months of recurrent hemoptysis. He had no previous history of tuberculosis or lung disease, but he was exposed to bird droppings from rearing over 100 birds. The preliminary sputum tests and chest X-rays yielded inconclusive results. High-resolution computed tomography identified a cavitary lesion with soft tissue density suggestive of aspergilloma. A positive serum galactomannan test confirmed chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis, subsequent to which he received antifungal medication and responded well. This case highlights the diagnostic difficulties of CPA in the absence of classic risk factors and emphasizes the significance of environmental exposure. Early diagnosis through a comprehensive approach and immediate antifungal intervention are essential for enhancing patient outcomes.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Case Report

ELECTRON J GEN MED, Volume 23, Issue 3, June 2026, Article No: em729

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/18291

Publication date: 01 May 2026

Online publication date: 01 Apr 2026

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