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Voriconazole-Resistant Penicillium oxalicum: An Emerging Pathogen in Immunocompromised Hosts

Anuradha Chowdhary1, Shallu Kathuria1, Kshitij Agarwal2

  • 1Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute , University of Delhi , Delhi , India.

Open Forum Infectious Diseases
|March 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Invasive infections caused by Penicillium oxalicum, a rare fungal pathogen, were observed in immunocompromised patients. These cases highlight voriconazole resistance in Penicillium oxalicum, a previously unrecognized cause of invasive mycoses.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Microbiology

Background:

  • Penicillium species are infrequently implicated in human infections.
  • Infections typically occur in immunocompromised individuals.
  • Voriconazole is a key antifungal agent for treating invasive fungal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report and characterize invasive mycosis caused by voriconazole-resistant Penicillium oxalicum.
  • To highlight a previously unrecognized pathogen in invasive fungal infections.
  • To describe clinical features and outcomes in affected patients.

Main Methods:

  • Case series reporting three patients with invasive fungal infections.
  • Identification of the causative agent as Penicillium oxalicum through microbiological methods.
  • Antifungal susceptibility testing, including voriconazole resistance assessment.

Main Results:

  • Three immunocompromised patients (acute myeloid leukemia, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) developed invasive mycosis.
  • The causative agent was identified as Penicillium oxalicum.
  • Isolates demonstrated resistance to voriconazole.
  • Penicillium oxalicum is identified as a novel cause of invasive mycoses.

Conclusions:

  • Penicillium oxalicum can cause invasive mycosis in immunocompromised patients.
  • Voriconazole resistance is a significant finding in these cases.
  • This study identifies Penicillium oxalicum as a previously unrecognized pathogen in invasive fungal infections.
Keywords:
IndiaPenicillium oxalicumimmunocompromisedinvasiveposaconazolevoriconazole resistance

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