Invasive aspergillosis in patients with HIV infection: report of two patients and a review of the literature.

Two cases of invasive aspergillosis in AIDS patients are reported and previously reported AIDS-related cases are reviewed. Only one-half of all cases were diagnosed antemortem. Outcome is poor despite antifungal and surgical therapy. Normal phagocytic function is important in host defense against Aspergillus species. HIV-infected patients may have impaired phagocytic function as a result of antiretroviral therapy or treatment of opportunistic infection, or due to HIV infection itself. As the lifespans of HIV-infected patients are extended by antiretroviral therapy, an increasing awareness of Aspergillus infection as an opportunistic pathogen will be necessary.