Clinical characteristics of central nervous system phaeohyphomycosis: A brief report of 20 years' experience

Med Mycol. 2023 Jun 5;61(6):myad060. doi: 10.1093/mmy/myad060.

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) phaeohyphomycosis is a rare and often fatal fungal infection. Our study reported a case series of eight CNS phaeohyphomycosis cases at our institution over the past 20 years. We did not observe the common pattern of risk factors, abscess location, or number of abscesses among them. Most patients were immunocompetent without classic risk factors for fungal infection. Early diagnosis and aggressive management with surgical intervention and prolonged antifungal therapy can lead to a favorable outcome. The study highlights the need for further research to better understand the pathogenesis and optimal management of this challenging rare infection.

Keywords: central nervous system; clinical characteristic; mould infection; outcome; phaeohyphomycosis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis* / diagnosis
  • Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis* / drug therapy
  • Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis* / veterinary
  • Mycoses* / drug therapy
  • Mycoses* / veterinary
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / diagnosis
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / drug therapy
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / microbiology
  • Phaeohyphomycosis* / veterinary
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents