Skip to main content
Log in

Successful treatment of pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis in an immunosuppressed child

  • Case Reports
  • Published:
European Journal of Pediatrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A favourable outcome was observed in a 12 year-old boy who developed invasive pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis during antineoplastic treatment for central nervous system relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Combination therapy with amphotericin B and 5-Fluorocytosine led to complete regression of pulmonary infiltrates. Despite enlargement of the cerebral lesion monitored by computerized tomography, no viable fungi were found in the completely resected abscess after a 4 weeks' course of antifungal treatment preceeding neurosurgery. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an aspergillotic abscess. The initially severe neurological symptoms disappeared after successful surgery. Aspergillus fumigatus was detected in the soil of a potted ornamental plant in the mother's living room, suggesting that this might have been the source of the infectious agent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aisner J, Schimpff SC, Wiernik PH (1977) Treatment of invasive aspergillosis: Relation of early diagnosis and treatment to response. Ann Intern Med 86:539–543

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bell WE (1981) Treatment of fungal infections of the central nervous system. Ann Neurol 9:417–422

    Google Scholar 

  3. Ekert H, Waters KD, Matthew RN, Tauro GP, Rice MS, Seshadri R, Mauger DC, Tiernan JR, McWhirter WR, O'Regan P, Olsen TE, Mathews JD (1980) A randomized study of intermittent chemotherapy with or without BCG inoculation in maintenance therapy of childhood All. Med Pediatr Oncol 8:353–360

    Google Scholar 

  4. Gaya H (1979) Cenral nervous system infections in neoplastic disease. In: Whitehouse JMA, Kay HEM (eds) CNS complications of malignant disease. Mac-Millan. London, pp 251–257

    Google Scholar 

  5. Mukpvama M, Gimple K, Poser CM (1969) Aspergillosis of the central nervous system. Neurology 19:967–974

    Google Scholar 

  6. Pizzo PA (1981) Infectious complications in the child with cancer. I. Pathophysiology of the compromised host and the initial evaluation and management of the febrile cancer patient. J Pediat 98:341–354

    Google Scholar 

  7. Pizzo PA (1981) Infectious complications in the child with cancer II. Management of specific infectious organisms. J Pediat 98:513–523

    Google Scholar 

  8. Riehm H, Gadner H, Henze G, Langermann H-J, Odenwald E (1980) The Berlin childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia study, 1970–1976. Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2:299–306

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sen P, Louria DB (1980) Higher bacterial and fungal infections. In: Grieco MH (ed) Infections in the abnormal host. Yorke Medical Books, pp 325–359

  10. Staib F, Tombak B, Thiel D, Abel Th (1978) Aspergillus fumigatus in der Topferde von Zimmerpflanzen. Bundesgesundhbl 21:209–213

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Supported by the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Henze, G., Aldenhoff, P., Stephani, U. et al. Successful treatment of pulmonary and cerebral aspergillosis in an immunosuppressed child. Eur J Pediatr 138, 263–265 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441214

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00441214

Key words

Navigation