Editorial

Hiding in Plain Sight: A New Paradigm for "Opportunistic Infections"

Authors: Ronald A. Leo, MD

Abstract

Kosseifi et al1 presented a case of Aspergillus esophageal ulceration occurring in a man treated with radiation and chemotherapy for tracheal carcinoma. Although the patient was recognized as immunocompromised, two diagnostic procedures were needed to make the diagnosis, and several treatment courses were undertaken before resolution of the infection was achieved. The infection persisted even with restoration of a normal leukocyte count some months after the end of the patient's cancer treatment. Such occurrences are illustrative of the need for a new paradigm in the epistemology of infectious disease.

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