Pulmonary malakoplakia: a case report and review of the literature

Pulmonary Malakoplakia Associated with Peripheral Cysts in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report

“…Macroscopically, malakoplakia presents as a yellowish-brown lesion, and microscopically, it is characterized by Michaelis-Gutmann bodies—foamy macrophages showing basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusions, which undergo mineralization by subsequent deposition of calcium and iron associated with lysosome calcification [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ].…”

“…The genitourinary tract is the site most commonly affected by malakoplakia, but other organs and systems may also be involved, including the lung in relatively rare cases [ 2 , 3 , 7 ]. Pulmonary lesions can include nodules, masses, and cavitations and can also affect the trachea and pleura [ 6 ]. In the lung, malakoplakia has been associated mainly with Rhodococcus equi , an opportunistic pathogen that mainly infects immunosuppressed patients [ 1 - 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ].…”

“…Pulmonary lesions can include nodules, masses, and cavitations and can also affect the trachea and pleura [ 6 ]. In the lung, malakoplakia has been associated mainly with Rhodococcus equi , an opportunistic pathogen that mainly infects immunosuppressed patients [ 1 - 3 , 5 , 6 , 8 ].…”

“…Pulmonary malakoplakia is possibly associated with defective macrophage activity, which leads to the accumulation of granulomatous masses, generating lesions that can be confused with tuberculosis, primary malignancy, or metastatic disease [ 2 - 6 ]. The symptomatology is nonspecific and depends on the extent and type of involvement of the lesions [ 9 ].…”

“…Most affected patients present immunosuppression either due to transplantation or human immunodeficiency virus infection [ 1 - 3 , 7 ]. Patients with decompensated diabetes mellitus [ 1 - 3 , 6 ] and alcoholism are also more likely to be affected [ 1 , 3 ].…”