Related Experiment Videos

Intracranial necrotizing granuloma caused by Cladophialophora bantiana

Sumit Deb1, A K Khan, B Debasish

  • 1Department of Neurology, NRS Medical College, Kolkata, India. sumit_neuro@yahoo.co.in

Neurology India
|October 19, 2005
PubMed

Insights

This report details a rare case of necrotizing granuloma caused by Cladophialophora bantiana, a fungus typically causing skin infections. The study highlights its potential for nervous system invasion in immunocompetent individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Dematiaceous fungi are pigmented yeasts primarily causing chronic skin and subcutaneous infections.
  • Extracutaneous infections, especially those affecting the central nervous system, are rare for this group.

Observation:

  • A case of necrotizing granuloma caused by Cladophialophora bantiana is presented.
  • Cladophialophora bantiana is a significant agent of central nervous system phaeohyphomycosis.
  • The fungus can invade the nervous system in immunocompetent hosts, often without obvious extraneural infection sites.

Findings:

  • Cladophialophora bantiana, also known by synonyms like Xylohypha bantiana, can cause severe, invasive disease.
  • Diagnosis was aided by a simple smear cytology method.
  • Effective treatment involves a combination of medical and surgical interventions.

Implications:

  • Highlights the potential for dematiaceous fungi to cause severe neurological infections.
  • Emphasizes the importance of considering rare fungal pathogens in unexplained granulomatous diseases.
  • Demonstrates the utility of accessible diagnostic techniques like smear cytology for early detection.

Related Concept Videos

Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology01:26

Bacterial Meningitis II: Pathophysiology

Bacterial meningitis typically begins when pathogens such as Neisseria meningitidis and Streptococcus pneumoniae colonize the nasopharynx and invade the bloodstream. This process is facilitated by bacterial virulence factors, such as polysaccharide capsules, which resist phagocytosis and complement-mediated killing. Less commonly, bacteria reach the central nervous system via contiguous spread from infections like otitis media or sinusitis, through congenital or acquired dural defects, or...
Bacterial Meningitis01:24

Bacterial Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis is a severe infectious disease involving inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when pathogenic bacteria cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the cerebrospinal fluid. Common causative organisms include Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli K1. The exact route of entry varies by pathogen and host condition.Routes of Entry...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...