Disseminated

Introduction: Disseminated invasive aspergillosis is a rare but life-threatening fungal infection that predominantly affects immunocompromised individuals. Vertebral involvement is an uncommon manifestation, and diagnosis in immunocompetent patients is particularly challenging because of its nonspecific clinical and radiological features, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and inappropriate therapy. We report a fatal case of disseminated Case description: A 54-year-old man with no recognized immunosuppressive condition presented with a five-month history of progressive dorsolumbar pain complicated by paraparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated thoracic spondylodiscitis with extensive epidural and paravertebral abscesses. Histopathological examination of the discovertebral biopsy initially suggested tuberculous spondylodiscitis, leading to empirical antituberculous therapy and corticosteroid administration. Mycological culture and periodic acid-Schiff staining subsequently identified an Conclusion: This case underscores that invasive aspergillosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic or subacute spondylodiscitis, even in apparently immunocompetent patients. Early diagnosis requires vertebral biopsy with dedicated fungal histopathology, mycological culture, species identification, and antifungal susceptibility testing to enable timely targeted therapy and early multidisciplinary management.