Fungal infection in a post-renal transplant patient with Diaporthe

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Transplant Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Post-renal transplant fungal infections pose significant mortality and morbidity risks.
• Commonly identified fungi include Candida, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus species.

Observation:

• A renal transplant recipient with hypothyroidism and a pacemaker developed an infection caused by Diaporthe.
• Diaporthe is an endophytic fungus typically associated with plants, rarely reported in humans.

Findings:

• The patient, on immunosuppressants, was diagnosed with Diaporthe infection.
• Successful treatment was achieved using itraconazole at a dosage of 200 mg.

Implications:

• This case highlights Diaporthe as a potential opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals.
• It underscores the importance of considering rare fungal species in transplant recipients with unusual infections.