An animal experiment about early pulmonary candidiasis in immunosuppressive rabbits: thin-section CT images dynamically observed and proved by histopathological results

Abstract

Background Early detection and treatment of pulmonary fungal infection in immunocompromised patients has a profound impact on mortality. However, information available about the thin-section computed tomography (CT) findings of Candida pneumonia has largely been limited to isolated cases seen in reviews of various infections and to other acute lung diseases seen in immunocompromised patients. Purpose To dynamically observe and evaluate CT findings in immunosuppressed animals with histopathologically confirmed pulmonary candidiasis at the acute stage. Material and Methods Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into an experimental group ( n = 21) and a control group ( n = 3). Pulmonary candidiasis was established by C. albicans inoculation via a transtracheal route in immunosuppressed rabbits in the experimental group, and an equivalent amount of normal saline was injected via the same way in the control group. Chest CT scan was performed before and on alternative days after inoculation/injection. Microbiological and pathological results were obtained by autopsy. Results In the experiment group, pulmonary candidiasis was successfully established in 13 rabbits as confirmed by microbiology and pathology. Areas of air-space consolidation were present in 10 (10/13) rabbits, with lobular distribution in six and lobar or segmental distribution in four, pathologically presenting as bronchopneumonia or hemorrhagic lung infarcts. Areas of ground-glass opacity (GGO) were identified in five (5/13) rabbits, three of which were associated with other abnormalities, presenting as bronchopneumonia or interstitial pneumonitis. Multiple nodules were seen in three (3/13) rabbits. They were clustered around bronchovascular bundles in two rabbits, and subpleural in the remaining one, pathologically presenting as hemorrhagic granulomas. Other less common CT findings included thickening of bronchovascular bundles ( n = 3), linear opacity ( n = 1), and pneumothorax ( n = 1). No abnormality was detected by CT scan and pathological examination in the three rabbits of the control group. Conclusion Peripheral multiple areas of lobular consolidation and/or GGO representing bronchopneumonia were the most common thin-section CT findings of pulmonary candidiasis at the early stage.