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Updated: May 10, 2026

Intrafemoral Injection of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells into Immunocompromised Mice
Published on: December 8, 2023
[Disseminated fusariosis during autologous stem cells transplant]
N Bouanani1, M Lamchahab, M Quachouh
1Service d'hématologie et d'oncologie pédiatrique, CHU 20-Août-de-Casablanca, Casablanca, Maroc. nouama2009@hotmail.fr
Abstract:
Fusarium is a filamentous brown fungus found in soil, on plants and outdoors responsible for localized or disseminated infections. Diagnosis is based on blood cultures and skin biopsy. Disseminated fusariosis is a rare and serious fungal infection, that occurs especially in neutropenic immunosuppressed patients. Treatment is difficult and mortality is estimated between 50 and 70% in adult patients. This infection is rare in Morocco. We report a case of systemic fusariosis in patient with multiple myeloma during a second autologous stem cell transplant. At day 4 of the autologous stem cells transplant the patient had febrile neutropenia and diarrhea; he received ceftazidime, metronidazole and amikacin for 2 days. The patient still febrile was treated by imipenem and vancomycin without bacteriological proof. At day 10 the patient presented difficulty of breathing and wheezing on auscultation of the lungs, and received nebulization with salbutamol every 6 hours. The CT scan shows interstitial infiltrate of the right lung with micronodules. At day 11 he was treated by voriconazole with clinical improvement. At day 19, Fusarium sp. was identified on the Sabouraud blood culture. The patient left the transplant unit at day 25, he received 6 weeks of voriconazole with clinical and radiological improvement.
Insights
Fusarium, a rare fungal infection, can cause serious illness in immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis and voriconazole treatment led to recovery in a patient with multiple myeloma undergoing stem cell transplant.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Fusarium species are filamentous fungi causing infections, particularly in neutropenic, immunosuppressed patients.
- Disseminated fusariosis has a high mortality rate (50-70%) and is rare in Morocco.
- Multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant are at high risk for opportunistic infections.
Observation:
- A patient with multiple myeloma developed febrile neutropenia and respiratory distress post-stem cell transplant.
- Initial broad-spectrum antibiotics were ineffective, necessitating further investigation.
- Pulmonary infiltrates were detected via CT scan, prompting antifungal therapy.
Findings:
- Fusarium species were identified in blood cultures on day 19 post-transplant.
- Treatment with voriconazole resulted in clinical and radiological improvement.
- The patient completed a 6-week course of voriconazole with successful outcomes.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare fungal infections like fusariosis in immunocompromised patients.
- Prompt diagnosis and appropriate antifungal therapy, such as voriconazole, are crucial for managing disseminated fusariosis.
- Successful treatment in this high-risk patient underscores the potential efficacy of voriconazole in complex cases.
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