Disseminated fusariosis with cutaneous involvement in hematologic malignancies: report of six cases with high mortality rate

Abstract: Fusariosis is due to inhalation or direct contact with conidia. Clinical presentation depends on host's immunity and can be localized, focally invasive or disseminated. Given the severity of this infection and the possibility for the dermatologist to make an early diagnosis, we report six cases of patients with hematologic malignancies, who developed febrile neutropenia an skin lesions suggestive of cutaneous fusariosis. All patients had skin cultures showing growth of Fusarium solani complex, and they received amphotericin B and voriconazole. As this infection can quickly lead to death, dermatologists play a crucial role in diagnosing this disease.

Disseminated fusariosis with cutaneous involvement in hematologic malignancies: report of six cases with high mortality rate.

Fusariosis is due to inhalation or direct contact with conidia. Clinical presentation depends on host's immunity and can be localized, focally invasive or disseminated. Given the severity of this infection and the possibility for the dermatologist to make an early diagnosis, we report six cases of patients with hematologic malignancies, who developed febrile neutropenia an skin lesions suggestive of cutaneous fusariosis. All patients had skin cultures showing growth of Fusarium solani complex, and they received amphotericin B and voriconazole. As this infection can quickly lead to death, dermatologists play a crucial role in diagnosing this disease.

Airborne transmission of invasive fusariosis in patients with hematologic malignancies.

From 2006 to 2013, an increasing incidence of fusariosis was observed in the hematologic patients of our University Hospital. We suspected of an environmental source, and the indoor hospital air was investigated as a potential source of the fungemia. Air samplings were performed in the hematology and bone marrow transplant (BMT) wards using an air sampler with pre-defined air volumes. To study the molecular relationship among environmental and clinical isolates, 18 Fusarium spp. recovered from blood cultures were included in the study. DNA sequencing of a partial portion of TEF1α gene was performed for molecular identification. Molecular typing was carried out by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) using a four-gene scheme: TEF1α, rDNA, RPB1 and RPB2. One hundred four isolates were recovered from the air of the hematology (n = 76) and the BMT (n = 28) wards. Fusarium isolates from the air were from five species complexes: Fusarium fujikuroi (FFSC, n = 56), Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti (FIESC, n = 24), Fusarium solani (FSSC, n = 13), Fusarium chlamydosporum (FCSC, n = 10), and Fusarium oxysporum (FOSC, n = 1). Fifteen Fusarium isolates recovered from blood belonged to FSSC, and three to FFSC. MLST identified the same sequence type (ST) in clinical and environmental isolates. ST1 was found in 5 isolates from blood and in 7 from the air, both identified as FSSC (Fusarium petroliphilum). STn1 was found in one isolate from blood and in one from the air, both identified as FFSC (Fusarium napiforme). F. napiforme was isolated from the air of the hospital room of the patient with fungemia due to F. napiforme. These findings suggested a possible clonal origin of the Fusarium spp. recovered from air and bloodcultures. In conclusion, our study found a diversity of Fusarium species in the air of our hospital, and a possible role of the air as source of systemic fusariosis in our immunocompromised patients.

Fusarium spp infections in a pediatric burn unit: nine years of experience.

INTRODUCTION: Fusarium spp are ubiquitous fungi recognized as opportunistic agents of human infections, and can produce severe infections in burn patients. The literature on Fusarium spp infections in pediatric burn patients is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and epidemiological features as well as outcome of Fusarium spp infections in pediatric burn patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive study of Fusarium spp infections in a specialized intensive care burn unit. RESULTS: In 15 patients Fusarium spp infections were diagnosed. Median age was 48 months. Direct fire injury was observed in ten patients. The median affected burn surface area was 45%. Twelve patients had a full thickness burn. Fourteen patients had a Garces Index ≥3. Fungal infection developed at a median of 11 days after burn injury. Fungi were isolated from burn wound in 14 patients and from the bone in one patient. Amphotericin B was the drug of choice for treatment followed by voriconazole. Median time of treatment completion was 23 days. One patient (7%) died of fungal infection-related causes. CONCLUSION: In our series Fusarium spp was an uncommon pathogen in severely burnt patients. The burn wound was the most common site of infection and mortality was low.

Rhizopus arrhizus and Fusarium solani Concomitant Infection in an Immunocompromised Host.

Neutropenic patients are at risk of the development of hyalohyphomycosis and mucormycosis. Correct identification is essential for the initiation of the specific treatment, but concomitant mold infections are rarely reported. We report one unprecedented case of concomitant mucormycosis and fusariosis in a neutropenic patient with acute myeloid leukemia. The patient developed rhino-orbital infection by Rhizopus arrhizus and disseminated infection by Fusarium solani. The first culture from a sinus biopsy grew Rhizopus, which was consistent with the histopathology report of mucormycosis. A second sinus biopsy collected later during the patient's clinical deterioration was reported as hyalohyphomycosis, and the culture yielded F. solani. Due to the discordant reports, the second biopsy was reviewed and two hyphae types suggestive of both hyalohyphomycetes and mucormycetes were found. The dual mold infection was confirmed by PCR assays from paraffinized tissue sections. Increased awareness of the existence of dual mold infections in at-risk patients is necessary. PCR methods in tissue sections may increase the diagnosis of dual mold infections. In case of sequential biopsies showing discrepant results, mixed infections have to be suspected.

Infecciones por Fusarium spp. en una unidad de quemados pediátrica / Fusarium spp. infections in a pediatric burn unit

Introducción: Fusarium spp. son hongos ubicuos que producen infecciones oportunistas en humanos incluyendo algunas severas en quemados. La literatura sobre infecciones por Fusarium spp. en pacientes quemados pediátricos es escasa. Objetivos: describir los hallazgos clínicos, epidemiológicos y evolutivos de infecciones por Fusarium spp. en pacientes quemados pediátricos. Pacientes y métodos: estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo de infecciones por Fusarium spp. en una unidad de cuidados intensivos pediátrica especializada entre enero de 2006 y marzo de 2015. Resultados: Quince pacientes presentaron infección por Fusarium spp. El 87% eran varones. La mediana de edad fue de 48 meses. En el 67% de los casos la quemadura fue por fuego directo. La superficie corporal quemada fue de una mediana de 45%. El 80% tuvo quemaduras profundas y el 93% presentó un índice de Garcés > 3. La infección fúngica se detectó con una mediana de 11 días desde la injuria. Todos los pacientes tuvieron catéteres centrales durante una mediana de 20 días y trece pacientes requirieron asistencia respiratoria mecánica durante una mediana de 16 días. En 14 pacientes el hongo fue aislado en la quemadura y en un paciente en el hueso. Trece pacientes tuvieron infecciones bacterianas concomitantes. Los antifúngicos de elección fueron anfotericina B y voriconazol. El tratamiento duró una mediana de 23 días. La mediana de internación fue de 55 días. Un solo paciente falleció debido a la infección fúngica. Conclusión: Fusarium spp. es un patógeno poco frecuente en pacientes quemados graves. La mortalidad fue baja (AU)

Introduction: Fusarium spp. are ubiquitous fungi recognized as opportunistic agents of human infections. They can produce severe infections in burn patients. The literature about Fusarium spp. infections in burn pediatric patients is scarce. Objectives: To describe clinical, epidemiological and outcome features of cases of Fusarium spp. infections in burn pediatric patients. Patients and Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study of Fusarium spp. infections in a specialized intensive care from January 2006 to March 2015. Results: 15 patients developed Fusarium spp infections. 87 % were male. Median age was 48 months. Direct fire injury was in ten patients. The affected burn surface was a median of 45%. Twelve patients had a full thickness burn. Fourteen patients had Garces Index>3. Fungal infection appears at a median of 11 days from injury. All patients had central lines during a median of 20 days and thirteen patients had mechanical ventilatory assistance for a median of sixteen days. Fungi vas isolated from burn wound in 14 patients and in bone in one patient. Thirteen patients had bacterial infection also. Amphotericin B was the drug of choice for treatment followed by voriconazole. Median time of complete treatment was 23 days. The median hospital stay was 55 days. One patient died of fungal infection related causes. Conclusion: Fusarium spp. is an uncommon pathogen in severely burn patients. Mortality was low (AU)

Fungal Peritonitis Due to Fusarium solani Species Complex Sequential Isolates Identified with DNA Sequencing in a Kidney Transplant Recipient in Brazil.

Fungal peritonitis is a rare serious complication most commonly observed in immunocompromised patients under peritoneal dialysis. Nevertheless, this clinical condition is more difficult to treat than bacterial peritonitis. Bacterial peritonitis followed by the use of antibiotics is the main risk factor for developing fungal peritonitis. Candida spp. are more frequently isolated, and the isolation of filamentous fungi is only occasional. Here we describe a case of Fusarium solani species complex peritonitis associated with bacterial peritonitis in a female kidney transplant recipient with previous history of nephrotic syndrome. The patient has had Enterobacter sp. endocarditis and was hypertensive and diabetic. Two sequential isolates of F. solani were recovered from cultures and identified with different molecular techniques. She was successfully treated with 50 mg daily amphotericin B for 4 weeks.