Aureobasidium pullulans infection in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunocompromised Host

Background:

• Saprophytic fungi are emerging as significant causes of mycoses.
• Immunosuppression, often due to chemotherapy, increases susceptibility to fungal infections.

Observation:

• A case of subcutaneous infiltration by Aureobasidium pullulans is presented.
• The infection occurred in a neutropenic patient undergoing chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Traumatic inoculation is the suspected route of infection.

Findings:

• The patient was initially treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate.
• Switching to itraconazole resulted in lesion improvement, indicating treatment efficacy.
• This case underscores the role of unusual fungi in opportunistic infections.

Implications:

• Highlights the need to consider rare fungal pathogens in critically ill, immunosuppressed patients.
• Emphasizes the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques for timely identification.
• Effective antifungal therapies significantly improve patient outcomes in such cases.