An Unusual Case of Pulmonary Mucormycosis

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 50; no. 10; pp. 3943 - 3945
• Main Authors: Thomas, S., Pawar, B., Fernandes, D., Nayar, S., George, P., Cherian, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-12-2018
• Subjects: Amphotericin B - administration & dosage; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Kidney Transplantation - adverse effects; Lung Diseases, Fungal - immunology; Lung Diseases, Fungal - microbiology; Male; Middle Aged; Mucorales; Mucormycosis - drug therapy; Mucormycosis - immunology; Mucormycosis - microbiology; Transplant Recipients; Triazoles - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2018.06.001

Invasive fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Of these fungal infections, mucormycosis presents as an aggressive, frequently fatal angioinvasive infection. Immunocompromised hosts and diabetes are important risk factors. These infections are frequently difficult to diagnose. A high index of suspicion in the appropriate setting and early, aggressive treatment with the newer antifungal agents have altered the previously grave prognosis. We present the first reported case of cavitating pulmonary mucormycosis in a renal transplant recipient caused by an unusual species of Mucorales. The patient was treated with a combination of lobectomy and antifungal treatment comprising of amphotericin B and posaconazole. He remains free of disease recurrence on monotherapy with posaconazole.
•First case report of Saksenaea vasiformis causing pulmonary cavitating lesions in an immunocompromised individual.