Adem ŞAFAK, Emre KARAKAYA, Mehmet HABERAL
Experimental and Clinical Transplantation - 2026;24(4):353-355
Aspergillus species are opportunistic fungi that can cause severe, potentially life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Invasive aspergillosis most commonly affects the lungs (70%-90%) but may also involve other organs, including the central nervous system (10%-25%), heart (5%-10%), kidneys (5%-10%), liver and spleen (5%-8%), and gastrointestinal tract (2%-5%). The incidence of aspergillosis is markedly increased among solid-organ transplant recipients due to prolonged immunosuppression. Thyroid involvement is extremely rare (<1%) and is most often reported in autopsy studies. Infection of the thyroid gland may occur through hematogenous dissemination, direct extension from adjacent structures, or iatrogenic routes. Herein, we describe a liver transplant recipient who developed thyroid aspergillosis, emphasizing the importance of considering fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of thyroid lesions in immunosuppressed patients.
