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FatalScedosporium prolificans infection in a leukemic patient

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Abstract

The case is described of a 42-year-old patient with acute myeloid leukemia who received two courses of chemotherapy complicated by prolonged bone marrow depression. He was admitted to hospital with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and bilateral nodular pulmonary infiltrates. After admission diffuse cutaneous skin nodules, and hypodense lesions in the hemispheres and cerebellum developed. Cultures of cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, skin biopsy specimens and blood revealedScedosporium prolificans, indicative of disseminated mycosis. Treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole was unsuccessful and the patient died within five days after admission. Features that may enhance early recognition ofScedosporium prolificans infection by both clinicians and microbiologists, as well as options in the treatment of infection with this fungal agent are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, NL-1105, AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. C. W. Feltkamp & E. J. Kuijper

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, NL-1105, AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    M. J. Kersten & J. van der Lelie

  3. Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, NL-1105, AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    I. D. Burggraaf

  4. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, PO Box 273, NL-3740, AG Baarn, The Netherlands

    G. S. de Hoog

Authors
  1. M. C. W. Feltkamp
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  2. M. J. Kersten
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  3. J. van der Lelie
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  4. I. D. Burggraaf
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  5. G. S. de Hoog
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  6. E. J. Kuijper
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Feltkamp, M.C.W., Kersten, M.J., van der Lelie, J. et al. FatalScedosporium prolificans infection in a leukemic patient. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 16, 460–464 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02471912

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