A case of Cunninghamella bertholettiae rhino-cerebral infection in a leukaemic patient and review of recent published studies

Mycopathologia. 2008 Jun;165(6):407-10. doi: 10.1007/s11046-008-9098-z. Epub 2008 Mar 14.

Abstract

Cunninghamella bertholletiae infection occurs most frequently in neutropenic patients affected by haematological malignancies, is associated with an unfavourable outcome. We report a case of rhino-mastoidal fungal infection in a leukaemic patient. Bioptical tissue cultures yield the isolation of a mould with typical properties of Cunninghamella species. Liposomal amphotericin B (L-Amb) therapy combined with surgical intervention brought the lesion to recovery. Nevertheless, the patient died 14 days after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from bacterial sepsis. Mastoiditis was documented at CT-scan. The conditioning regimen probably caused the reactivation of the Cunninghamella infection that led to the patient's fatal outcome; fungal hyphae were detected after autopsy of brain and lung tissue.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / pharmacokinetics*
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Cunninghamella / drug effects*
  • Cunninghamella / pathogenicity
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / microbiology
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / surgery
  • Mucormycosis / etiology*
  • Mucormycosis / metabolism
  • Opportunistic Infections / etiology
  • Opportunistic Infections / metabolism

Substances

  • Amphotericin B