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Central nervous system Aspergillus fumigatus infection after near drowning

P A Kowacs1, S Monteiro de Almeida, R L Pinheiro

  • 1Neurology Division, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, 80060-900, Curitiba, Brazil. cefaleia@hc.ufpr.br

Journal of Clinical Pathology
|January 30, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Near drowning in swamp water led to a rare Aspergillus fumigatus brain infection. This case highlights the need for vigilance in diagnosing invasive fungal infections after environmental exposures.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Near-drowning incidents, particularly in natural bodies of water like swamps, pose risks for infections.
  • Intracranial infections are serious complications that require prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Observation:

  • A 26-year-old male developed chronic meningitis and intracerebral granulomata 15 days post-near drowning.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid cultures identified Aspergillus fumigatus as the causative agent.

Findings:

  • This is the first reported case of intracranial infection caused by Aspergillus fumigatus following a near-drowning event.
  • The patient succumbed to the infection, with death occurring 70 days after symptom onset, following a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider invasive aspergillosis in patients with neurological symptoms after near-drowning in contaminated water.
  • Early recognition and treatment of systemic aspergillosis are crucial, given available effective therapies.

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