Two fatal infections in immunocompromised patients caused by Scedosporium inflatum

K A Wise1, B R Speed, D H Ellis

  • 1Microbiology Department, Wollongong Hospital, NSW, Australia.

Pathology
|April 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Scedosporium inflatum caused fatal infections in two immunocompromised patients, one post-renal transplant and another with lymphoma. Both fungal isolates were resistant to common antifungal treatments, highlighting a critical treatment challenge.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Immunocompromised patients are susceptible to opportunistic fungal infections.
  • Scedosporium species are increasingly recognized as pathogens in this population.
  • Antifungal resistance is a growing concern in managing invasive fungal diseases.

Observation:

  • Two cases of fatal Scedosporium inflatum infections in immunocompromised individuals are presented.
  • Case 1: A renal transplant recipient developed fungal peritonitis.
  • Case 2: A patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and neutropenia experienced disseminated infection.

Findings:

  • Both Scedosporium inflatum isolates exhibited resistance to all commonly available antifungal agents.
  • Infection led to fatal outcomes in both patients despite intensive care.
  • Post-mortem examination confirmed disseminated fungal infection in the lymphoma patient.

Implications:

  • Scedosporium inflatum poses a significant threat to immunocompromised patients.
  • The observed antifungal resistance underscores the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for improving outcomes in invasive Scedosporium infections.

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