Lophomonas blattarum infection presented as acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The present case described a 70-year-old male who was initially diagnosed and treated as acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Ultimately Lophomonas blattarum (L. blattarum), a rare protozoan causing opportunistic infection, was found in suction sputum smear. Bronchoscopy showed a lot of purulent sputum in airways, diffusely swelling and friable mucus on bronchus. After single tinidazole treatment, symptoms and image showed marked improvement. It indicates though in the untraditional immunocompromised case, the suspect of opportunistic diseases is necessary, especially in the cases failed to improvement under empirical treatment. It also supports the tinidazole treatment is efficacy in L. blattarum infection.