A fatal case of Exophiala dermatitidis meningoencephalitis in an immunocompetent host: A case report and literature review.
J Infect Chemother
; 27(10): 1520-1524, 2021 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34215497
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Central nervous system (CNS) infection due to Exophiala dermatitidis is rare and fatal, and primarily reported in immunocompromised patients or those with caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 9 deficiency. Herein, we describe a case of an otherwise healthy person (without underlying disease or gene deficiency) diagnosed with Exophiala dermatitidis meningoencephalitis. The patient achieved clinical remission under high-dose antifungal therapy in the first 14 months but died after 2 years of the therapy. CASE PRESENTATION A 15-year-old student with headache and fever was admitted to our department. Lumbar puncture showed increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, moderately high CSF protein levels and cell counts, and a remarkable decrease in CSF glucose and chloride. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed multiple lesions and cerebral pia mater enhancement. CSF culture confirmed E. dermatitidis infection. We administered 4-week antifungal therapy of amphotericin B, but his CSF culture remained positive. After receiving the 12-week standard dose of voriconazole (200 mg q12h), the patient's CSF culture became negative, but his condition deteriorated with intracranial lesion enlargement. We administered a high-dose voriconazole therapy (600-800 mg per day) for 12 months, which led to clinical remission. The voriconazole dose was reduced due to adverse effects including hepatic dysfunction and hypokalemia, and the disease progressed with high intracranial pressure and epileptic seizures.CONCLUSIONS:
CNS infection caused by E. dermatitidis is fatal and the most serious form of fungal infection. Initially, high-dose and long-term antifungal therapy could be effective. Gene defect and related antifungal immunodeficiency may be the most important pathogenic and lethal factor.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Exophiala
/
Meningoencefalite
Tipo de estudo:
Systematic_reviews
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Infect Chemother
Assunto da revista:
MICROBIOLOGIA
/
TERAPIA POR MEDICAMENTOS
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article