First case of Trichoderma longibrachiatum infection in a renal transplant recipient in Tunisia and review of the literature

Tunis Med. 2010 Jan;88(1):52-7.

Abstract

Background: Trichoderma species are filamentous fungi that were previously considered to be culture contaminants. Recently, with the increasing number of risk population, they are described as an emerging pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Trichoderma longibrachiatum is the most common species involved in Trichoderma infections.

Aim: Here, we report the first case in Tunisia of skin infection caused by Trichoderma longibrachiatum in a renal transplant recipient.

Case: The fungus was isolated from fluid puncture of an inguinal abscess and from skin biopsy from a 46-year-old male patient who had been receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Species identification benefited from a molecular approach. Susceptibility tests performed with the use of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing standardized methodology revealed that the organism is resistant to itraconazole, intermediate to amphotericin B and sensitive to voriconazole, posaconazole and caspofungin. The infection was successfully treated with voriconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dermatomycoses / diagnosis*
  • Dermatomycoses / drug therapy
  • Dermatomycoses / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis*
  • Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Trichoderma / drug effects
  • Trichoderma / isolation & purification*
  • Tunisia
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Voriconazole