Fatal hemoptysis from invasive Aspergillus niger in a patient with cavitary lung disease and Mycobacterium avium complex infection.

Invasive aspergillosis typically afflicts immunocompromised patients, whereas pulmonary aspergilloma is a recognized complication of pre-existing cavitary lung disease in immunocompetent hosts. In both cases, the most prevalent pathogens are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. We describe a case of fatal hemoptysis from invasive Aspergillus niger infection in the setting of bullous lung disease, steroid-treated sarcoidosis, and Mycobacterium avium complex infection. This report highlights the potential for A. niger to cause invasive disease in conjunction with other pathologic processes in the lung.