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Cellulitis and nodular skin lesions due to Fusarium spp in liver transplant: case report

M Halpern1, E Balbi, L Carius

  • 1Liver Transplantation Unit, Bonsucesso General Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. mhalpern@hucff.com.br

Transplantation Proceedings
|March 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Fusariosis, an emerging fungal infection, can cause severe disseminated disease in immunocompromised patients. This case highlights successful treatment of Fusarium skin infections in a liver transplant recipient.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transplantation Immunology

Background:

  • Fusariosis is an emerging invasive fungal infection, increasingly recognized in severely immunocompromised individuals.
  • Disseminated fusariosis is a significant concern in patients with neutropenia.
  • In solid organ transplant recipients, fusariosis typically presents as uncommon cutaneous manifestations.

Observation:

  • A liver transplant patient presented with cellulitis, subcutaneous nodules, and abscesses.
  • The clinical presentation mimicked ecthyma gangrenosum, a common sign of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.
  • Cultures identified Fusarium species as the causative agent.

Findings:

  • The patient's skin lesions were attributed to Fusarium species.
  • Successful management involved a combination of antifungal therapy with polyenes.
  • Surgical resection of the affected tissue was a crucial component of the treatment strategy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering fusariosis in transplant patients with unusual skin lesions.
  • Prompt diagnosis and combined medical-surgical treatment are vital for favorable outcomes.
  • Further research into Fusarium infections in immunocompromised populations is warranted.

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