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Ochroconis gallopava: a dematiaceous mold causing infections in transplant recipients

Zubair A Qureshi1, Eun J Kwak, M Hong Nguyen

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

Clinical Transplantation
|September 30, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Ochroconis gallopava is an emerging fungal pathogen in transplant recipients, often causing lung infections. Early diagnosis in organ transplant patients improves prognosis, though optimal treatment is still unknown.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transplantation Immunology

Background:

  • Ochroconis gallopava, a dematiaceous mold, is increasingly identified as a human pathogen.
  • Infections typically occur in immunosuppressed individuals, particularly organ transplant recipients.
  • Organ transplantation is the most common underlying condition associated with O. gallopava infections.

Observation:

  • A retrospective review of 10 O. gallopava cases in organ transplant recipients over 18 years was conducted.
  • A significant increase in infections (60%) was observed in the last five years of the study period.
  • Pulmonary infection was the most common clinical manifestation, often occurring late after transplantation.

Findings:

  • Use of alemtuzumab for induction therapy was associated with infection within six months post-transplant (p = 0.03).
  • The attributable mortality rate at six months post-infection was 20%.
  • O. gallopava is a rare but significant pathogen in immunocompromised populations.

Implications:

  • Pulmonary involvement is the predominant manifestation in organ transplant recipients.
  • Early diagnosis of O. gallopava infection in transplant recipients is crucial for a favorable prognosis.
  • Optimal therapeutic strategies for O. gallopava infections remain to be defined.

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