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Disseminated cutaneous Pseudallescheria boydii
E F Bernstein1, M G Schuster, D D Stieritz
1Department of Dermatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Abstract:
As increasingly aggressive chemotherapeutic regimens are used to treat malignancy, more patients will become susceptible to various opportunistic pathogens. Specifically, several fungal organisms previously viewed as relatively non-pathogenic are more frequently causing serious disease in these patients. Identification of these organisms is of paramount importance, as some are relatively resistant to standard antifungal therapies. We report a patient with disseminated cutaneous Pseudallescheria boydii, diagnosed from histopathological examination and culture of a skin biopsy specimen. Identification of the organism was achieved shortly before the patient died. Clinicians must be aware of the numerous emerging opportunistic pathogens, which may require special culture techniques for diagnosis and varied or combined modes of therapy.
Insights
Aggressive chemotherapy increases susceptibility to opportunistic fungal infections. Pseudallescheria boydii can cause severe disease in immunocompromised patients, requiring specialized diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Oncology
Background:
- Increasingly aggressive chemotherapy regimens for malignancy lead to heightened patient susceptibility to opportunistic pathogens.
- Fungal organisms, once considered non-pathogenic, are now frequently causing severe infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Observation:
- A case of disseminated cutaneous Pseudallescheria boydii infection is presented.
- Diagnosis was established through histopathological examination and culture of a skin biopsy specimen.
Findings:
- Identification of Pseudallescheria boydii occurred shortly before the patient's demise.
- This fungus can be resistant to standard antifungal treatments, complicating patient management.
Implications:
- Clinicians must recognize emerging opportunistic pathogens like Pseudallescheria boydii.
- Specialized diagnostic techniques and varied or combined therapeutic strategies may be necessary for effective treatment.