[Sinus infection caused by Exserohilum rostratum in a pediatric patient with acute myeloid leukemia]

Alejandro Kral1, Kathleen Batalla2, M Elena Santolaya3

  • 1Facultad de Medicina, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Universidad de Chile, Chile.

Insights

Febrile neutropenia in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients can stem from rare fungal infections. Early antifungal therapy and surgery for Exserohilum rostratum rhinosinusitis led to a positive outcome.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Hematology
  • Pediatric Oncology

Background:

  • Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a severe complication of chemotherapy, necessitating prompt etiological investigation and treatment.
  • Fungal infections, particularly invasive ones, pose a significant mortality risk in immunocompromised patients.
  • Exserohilum rostratum is a filamentous fungus rarely implicated in human pathology.

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Brain Abscess l: Introduction01:26

Brain Abscess l: Introduction

A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...