Concomitant cerebral aspergillosis and mucormycosis in an immunocompetent woman treated with corticosteroids

J Neurovirol. 2020 Apr;26(2):277-280. doi: 10.1007/s13365-019-00804-4. Epub 2019 Nov 11.

Abstract

We present the case of an immunocompetent 55-year-old woman, treated with corticosteroids, developing a cerebral fungal infection with autoptic ascertainment of aspergillosis and mucormycosis. This is the first report of cerebral co-infection by mucorales and aspergillus in an immunocompetent host. A possible explanation is that corticosteroids, even if taken for a short time, led to a transient lowering of immune function and contributed to negative outcome.

Keywords: Aspergillosis; Cerebral infection; Fungal infection; Mucormycosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / adverse effects
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / adverse effects*
  • Brain Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Coinfection / chemically induced
  • Dermatomyositis / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis / chemically induced*
  • Neuroaspergillosis / chemically induced*
  • Prednisone / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Prednisone