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Phialemonium: an emerging mold pathogen that caused 4 cases of hemodialysis-associated endovascular infection

Laurie A Proia1, Mary K Hayden, Patricia L Kammeyer

  • 1Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. lproia@rush.edu

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|August 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Phialemonium curvatum, an opportunistic fungus, caused fatal intravascular infections in four hemodialysis patients. Management of these challenging Phialemonium infections remains uncertain.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Phialemonium species are increasingly recognized as opportunistic human pathogens.
  • Infections caused by Phialemonium species are associated with high mortality rates.
  • Chronic hemodialysis patients are a vulnerable population for opportunistic fungal infections.

Observation:

  • A series of four patients on chronic hemodialysis developed intravascular infections.
  • All isolates were identified as Phialemonium curvatum through morphological and ribosomal sequencing analysis.
  • Two patients experienced fatal outcomes due to overwhelming infection, fungemia, and endocarditis.

Findings:

  • Phialemonium curvatum can cause severe intravascular infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals like hemodialysis patients.
  • The study identified a distinct morphological type of P. curvatum.
  • Genetic sequencing confirmed the isolates' close relation to known P. curvatum strains.

Implications:

  • Phialemonium infections pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
  • Optimal antifungal treatment strategies for Phialemonium infections require further investigation.
  • Early recognition and management are crucial for improving outcomes in patients with Phialemonium infections.

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