Disseminated aspergillosis causing intestinal failure following colectomy for perforated colitis

Abstract

Disseminated aspergillosis is a rare, invasive, opportunistic, fungal infection associated with a high mortality. We report a non-fatal case diagnosed following extensive enterectomy for intestinal infarction in a patient recovering from emergency abdominal colectomy for perforated ulcerative colitis. This resulted in intestinal failure necessitating life-long parenteral nutrition and prolonged antifungal therapy. BACKGROUNDTo our knowledge, this is the first reported case of intestinal failure due to disseminated aspergillosis.