Central nervous system Aspergillus fumigatus infection after near drowning

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 202 - 204
• Main Authors: Kowacs, P A, Monteiro de Almeida, S, Pinheiro, R L, Fameli, H, Piovesan, E J, Correia, A, Werneck, L C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01-02-2004; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2004 Journal of Clinical Pathology
• Subjects: Adult; alanine aminotransferase; ALT; aspartate aminotransferase; aspergillosis; Aspergillosis - diagnosis; Aspergillosis - etiology; Aspergillus fumigatus - isolation & purification; Aspergillus sp; AST; b.i.d; Biological and medical sciences; brain abscess; CAT; central nervous system; cerebrospinal fluid; CNS; computerised tomography; CSF; Fatal Outcome; four times a day; Humans; intravenous; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); magnetic resonance imaging; Male; Medical sciences; meningitis; Meningitis, Fungal - diagnosis; Meningitis, Fungal - etiology; MRI; near drowning; Near Drowning - complications; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; q.i.d; Short Reports; t.i.d; three times a day; twice a day; Fungi; Infection; Anatomic pathology; Central nervous system; Fungi Imperfecti; Aspergillus fumigatus; Thallophyta
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2003.010066

Aims: To report the case of a 26 year old white man, who developed chronic meningitis and intracerebral granulomata 15 days after an episode of near drowning in a swamp. Methods:Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Results: The patient died 70 days after the symptoms were first noticed, and seven days after a subarachnoid haemorrhage. Aspergillus has never been reported before as a cause of intracranial infection after near drowning. Conclusions: Physicians must be aware of this possibility when confronted with such a situation, because there are now effective therapeutic options for systemic aspergillosis.