Aspergillus niger bloodstream infection in gastric cancer after common hepatic artery embolization: A case report

The present case study reported on a 62-year-old male patient with gastric cancer-associated Aspergillus (A.) niger bloodstream infection. The patient presented with massive hemorrhage in the gastrointestinal tract 3 months after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Conservative treatment consisting of blood transfusion to supplement blood volume loss was ineffective. Digital subtraction angiography indicated gastroduodenal artery bleeding. The first attempt of performing arterial embolization using gelatin sponges failed, while the second attempt of performing common hepatic artery embolization using gelatin sponges and micro-coil springs stopped the bleeding. Four weeks after angiography, the patient presented with the complication of A. niger bloodstream infection, which was cured using intravenous and oral voriconazole. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of A. niger bloodstream infection after invasive operations in immunocompromised patients and apply timely antifungal treatment.