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Cutaneous infection caused by Aspergillus ustus, an emerging opportunistic fungus in immunosuppressed patients

J Gené1, A Azón-Masoliver, J Guarro

  • 1Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Hospital Universitari de Sant Joan, 43201-Reus, Tarragona, Spain. jgd@fmcs.urv.es

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|March 7, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Primary cutaneous Aspergillus ustus infection is a rare and often fatal fungal disease in immunosuppressed individuals. Terbinafine and UR-9825 showed promising in vitro activity against this emerging pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Primary cutaneous fungal infections can be severe, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
  • Aspergillus ustus is an emerging fungal pathogen with limited reported cases.
  • Domestic accidents can lead to opportunistic infections in vulnerable individuals.

Observation:

  • A case of primary cutaneous Aspergillus ustus infection occurred in an immunosuppressed patient following a domestic accident.
  • The patient did not respond to standard antifungal treatment with itraconazole.
  • The infection proved fatal before alternative treatment could be administered.

Findings:

  • There are only eight previously reported cases of Aspergillus ustus cutaneous infection since 1973.
  • Survival rates for this infection are extremely low, with only two documented survivors.
  • In vitro testing revealed terbinafine and a novel azole derivative, UR-9825, as the most potent antifungal agents against Aspergillus ustus.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the aggressive nature and poor prognosis of primary cutaneous Aspergillus ustus infections.
  • Newer antifungal agents like terbinafine and UR-9825 warrant further investigation for treating this rare but dangerous infection.
  • Enhanced vigilance and prompt, appropriate antifungal therapy are crucial for managing immunosuppressed patients with suspected Aspergillus infections.

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