Cutaneous infection by Alternaria infectoria in a liver transplant recipient: a case report

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Dermatology
• Transplant Medicine

Background:

• Invasive fungal infections pose a significant risk to solid organ transplant recipients.
• Immunosuppression therapy increases susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens.

Observation:

• A 65-year-old liver transplant recipient presented with multiple ulcerative skin lesions on the lower extremities.
• Lesions appeared six months post-transplantation.

Findings:

• The causative agent was identified as Alternaria Infectoria, an opportunistic fungus.
• Successful treatment was achieved with a 27-week course of fluconazole.
• Complete regression of skin lesions was observed.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of recognizing and managing rare fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.
• Effective treatment involved an azole antifungal and potentially adjusted immunosuppression.
• Further clinical studies are needed to establish definitive treatment guidelines for invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients.