Combat-Related Pythium aphanidermatum Invasive Wound Infection: Case Report and Discussion of Utility of Molecular Diagnostics

J Clin Microbiol. 2015 Jun;53(6):1968-75. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00410-15. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

Abstract

We describe a 22-year-old soldier with 19% total body surface area burns, polytrauma, and sequence- and culture-confirmed Pythium aphanidermatum wound infection. Antemortem histopathology suggested disseminated Pythium infection, including brain involvement; however, postmortem PCR revealed Cunninghamella elegans, Lichtheimia corymbifera, and Saksenaea vasiformis coinfection. The utility of molecular diagnostics in invasive fungal infections is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blast Injuries*
  • Bombs
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Military Personnel*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Pythiosis*
  • Pythium* / genetics
  • Pythium* / isolation & purification
  • Wound Infection*
  • Young Adult