Scedosporium infection disseminated "from toe to head" in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient: a case report

Authors

Debra A. Marinovic, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Eric Bhaimia, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Graeme N. Forrest, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Rebecca LaRue, Department of Pharmacy, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Sunita Nathan, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Celalettin Ustun, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
Anna Ward, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

BMC Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Scedosporium is a lesser-known non-Aspergillus genus of mold that can present in unsuspecting ways. If overlooked, it may disseminate and cause high mortality in high-risk allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients.

Case presentation: This case report describes a 65-year-old patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia who underwent an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant after a period of prolonged neutropenia with fluconazole prophylaxis. She suffered severe debility with altered mentation from a S. apiospermum infection which likely disseminated from a toe wound to the lung and central nervous system. She was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole, but faced a prolonged recovery from physical and neurologic sequela.

Conclusions: The case highlights the importance of adequate anti-mold prophylaxis in high-risk patients, and the value of a thorough physical examination in this patient population, with particular attention to skin and soft tissue findings.

First Page

353

Last Page

353

DOI

0.1186/s12879-023-08345-2.

Publication Date

5-2023

Comments

Marinovic, D. A., Bhaimia, E., Forrest, G. N., LaRue, R., Nathan, S., Ustun, C., & Ward, A. (2023). Scedosporium infection disseminated "from toe to head" in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient: a case report. BMC infectious diseases, 23(1), 353.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08345-2

Recommended Citation

Marinovic, D. A., Bhaimia, E., Forrest, G. N., LaRue, R., Nathan, S., Ustun, C., & Ward, A. (2023). Scedosporium infection disseminated "from toe to head" in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipient: a case report. BMC infectious diseases, 23(1), 353. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08345-2