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Presumptive invasive Chrysosporium infection in a bone marrow transplant recipient

A Warwick1, P Ferrieri, B Burke

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Hospital, Minneapolis 55455.

Bone Marrow Transplantation
|October 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

An invasive Chrysosporium fungal infection rapidly spread in an 18-year-old following a bone marrow transplant for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The aggressive infection affected the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys despite antifungal treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is a life-saving procedure for hematologic malignancies.
  • Patients undergoing transplantation are immunocompromised, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
  • T lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia requires intensive immunosuppressive therapy, including transplantation.

Observation:

  • An 18-year-old patient developed invasive fungal infection post-allogeneic sibling bone marrow transplant.
  • The infection initially presented as facial swelling and progressed to central nervous system involvement.
  • The fungal disease demonstrated rapid dissemination.

Findings:

  • Chrysosporium species were identified as the causative agent of the invasive fungal infection.
  • The infection spread extensively despite the administration of antifungal agents.
  • Autopsy revealed widespread fungal involvement in the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for rare fungal pathogens like Chrysosporium to cause severe, disseminated infections in immunocompromised hosts.
  • Prompt diagnosis and aggressive management are crucial for invasive fungal infections post-transplant.
  • Understanding the spectrum of fungal infections in transplant recipients is vital for improving patient outcomes.

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