Cerebral Rhizomucor Infection Treated by Posaconazole Delayed-Release Tablets in an Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant...

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Hematology
• Transplant Medicine

Background:

• Mucormycosis, also known as zygomycosis, is an increasingly recognized invasive fungal infection.
• Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) recipients are a vulnerable population susceptible to opportunistic infections like mucormycosis.

Observation:

• A 30-year-old female diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia required allo-HSCT.
• The patient developed a severe pulmonary and cerebral infection caused by Rhizomucor pusillus, a rare mold species.

Findings:

• The invasive fungal infection was managed through a combination of surgical intervention and targeted antifungal therapy.
• Posaconazole administered via delayed-release tablets achieved high therapeutic drug levels, which were not attainable with the oral solution formulation.

Implications:

• This case highlights the critical need for prompt diagnosis and aggressive management of mucormycosis in allo-HSCT recipients.
• The use of posaconazole delayed-release tablets represents a potentially effective strategy for achieving adequate drug concentrations in treating invasive mold infections in immunocompromised patients.