An Observational Study of Fungal Isolates in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples from Treatment Naïve Bronchogenic Cancer Patients

Background: Opportunistic fungal infections are common among immunocompromised populations like cancer patients. The purpose of our study was to determine the proportion and distribution of fungal isolates in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of bronchogenic cancer patients and their association with clinical characteristics. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine and Department of Microbiology, Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata. The study considered 50 confirmed lung cancer patients undergoing BAL. Samples were then cultured for fungal growth and analysed by microscopy. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were also collected, and symptoms scored using the semi-quantitative cough strength score (SCSS) and modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale. Results: Twenty patients, or 40%, had positive fungal growth in their BAL samples. The most isolated species were Penicillium (20%) and Trichosporon (15%). The group had a male-to-female ratio of 3.55, with an average age of 58.37 ± 12.69 years. Most of the patients (74%) came from rural areas, and 70% of them had a history of smoking. 33 patients were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounted for 66% of the cases. X-rays often showed space-occupying masses, while several patients revealed endobronchial lesions on bronchoscopy. Diabetes was shown to have an increased association with fungal infections in lung carcinoma patients; however, the differences were not found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: Fungal colonization is a frequent occurrence in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Routine fungal screening for lung cancer patients, especially those with comorbid conditions like diabetes, may be essential for improving clinical care and outcomes.