Aspergillus is an opportunistic pathogen in oral cavity. The fungal hyphae are characteristically dichotomous, septate and branch at 45° acute angle. This case reports an intra-oral verrucal lesion over the dorsum of tongue with Aspergillus infection. On histopathologic examination, a verrucal lesion was seen with PAS-positive dichotomous, septate hyphae branching characteristically at 45° along with numerous spores.

Keywords: Verrucal, Aspergillus, Post-irradiation

Aspergillus is a filamentous fungus found in varied sources like soil, plant waste etc. in immunocompromised individuals, Aspergillus appears in filamentous forms usually within the paranasal sinuses. Its occurrence in immunocompetent individuals has been sparsely reported. Head and neck radiation therapy alters the oral microflora significantly. Radiation-induced altered tissue response predisposes the mucosal microenvironment towards growth and sustenance of pathogenic microflora. Candidal overgrowth is the most commonly encountered oral condition post-irradiation. Other microorganisms include Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacilli and Spirochetes [1,2]. There is limited literature available in intraoral Aspergillus infection. Sethi et al. [3] reported Aspergillus lesion in an immunocompetent host. Similar finding was reported by Khatri et al. [4] affecting hard palate and nasal cavity. Uncommonly Aspergillus also has been reported in radiation sensitized oral mucosa1. This case report highlights Aspergillus infestation over a verrucal growth on dorsum of tongue in a 72 year old female patient.

CASE REPORT

A 72 year old female reported with the chief complaint of a small growth over the dorsum of tongue. Patient had undergone hemiglossectomy two years back for Verrucous Carcinoma of the tongue followed by a course of radiotherapy. The lesion was locally excised twice at a private clinic and after each excision, the lesion recurred. A biopsy was send obtained for histopathologic examination.

Grossly, the excised lesional tissue was white to pink in color with a rough to smooth surface, was firm in consistency and measured 1.8 × 1.2 × 0.8 cm. On histopathological examination, the lesion exhibited features of a hyperparakeratinised, stratified, squamous epithelium with a chevron-like keratosis and globular keratin formation in superficial layers. The lesion was elevated compared to adjacent mucosa and demarcated from the same by a constriction (Figure 1). Suprabasal and subepithelial clefting were evident. PAS-positive (Figure 2) and Gomori methanamine silver positive dichotomous, septate hyphae branching at 45° along with numerous spores (Figure 3) were seen within the areas of clefting and at the periphery of the verrucal growth as well in the superficial parakeratinized layers. Connective tissue was moderately collagenous with minimal inflammatory infiltrate. Laboratory culture was positive for Aspergillus growth.

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