Allescheria (Petriellidium) boydii sinusitis in a compromised host

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Case Study

Background:

• Allescheria (Petriellidium) boydii is a fungus rarely associated with human infections, typically presenting as mycetoma (Madura foot).
• Disseminated infections involving the pulmonary or central nervous systems are infrequently reported.
• Limited data exist on the antimicrobial sensitivity of A. boydii, hindering established therapeutic guidelines.

Observation:

• A case of maxillary sinusitis caused by A. boydii is described in an elderly male patient.
• The patient had multiple comorbidities including diabetes, chronic alcoholism, and was on maintenance hemodialysis.
• The clinical presentation mimicked mucormycosis, a severe fungal infection.

Findings:

• The isolated A. boydii strain demonstrated susceptibility to amphotericin B (1.25 mg/ml) and miconazole (0.15 mg/ml).
• This case expands the known clinical spectrum of A. boydii infections to include sinusitis.

Implications:

• This report highlights the importance of considering A. boydii in the differential diagnosis of fungal sinusitis, especially in immunocompromised patients.
• The identified antimicrobial sensitivities provide valuable preliminary data for guiding treatment of rare A. boydii infections.
• Further research into the pathogenesis and treatment of A. boydii infections is warranted.