Mucormicosis Rinocerebral asociado a Cetoacidosis diabética / Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis associated to diabetic ketoacidosis

Mucormycosis is an infrequent fungal infection This infection is difficult to diagnose and treat and have a high morbility and mortality and affects immunocompromised patients, especially those patients with decompensated diabetes mellitus. We report the case of a 60 years old diabetic patient with poor metabolic control who was admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis and days later present right periorbital swelling and pain, is diagnosed of mucomycosis and is successfully treated with amphoterin B and surgery.

Histoplasmosis del sistema nervioso central en un paciente inmunocompetente / Histoplasmosis of the central nervous system in an immunocompetent patient

La histoplasmosis es una afección polifacética producida por el hongo dimorfo Histoplasma capsulatum , cuyas esporas son inhaladas y llegan al pulmón, órgano primario de infección. La forma meníngea, considerada como una de las manifestaciones más graves de esta micosis, suele presentarse en individuos con alteraciones en la inmunidad celular: pacientes con síndrome de inmunodeficiencia humana adquirida, con lupus eritematoso sistémico o con trasplante de órgano sólido, así como en lactantes, debido a su inmadurez inmunológica. La forma de presentación más usual es de resolución espontánea y se observa en individuos inmunocompetentes que se han expuesto a altas concentraciones de conidias y fragmentos miceliares del hongo. En estas personas, la afección se manifiesta por trastornos pulmonares y por la posterior diseminación a otros órganos y sistemas. Se presenta un caso de histoplasmosis del sistema nervioso central en un niño inmunocompetente.

Histoplasmosis is a multifaceted condition caused by the dimorphic fungi Histoplasma capsulatum whose infective spores are inhaled and reach the lungs, the primary organ of infection. The meningeal form, considered one of the most serious manifestations of this mycosis, is usually seen in individuals with impaired cellular immunity such as patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, systemic lupus erythematous or solid organ transplantation, and infants given their immunological immaturity. The most common presentation is self-limited and occurs in immunocompetent individuals who have been exposed to high concentrations of conidia and mycelia fragments of the fungi. In those people, the condition is manifested by pulmonary disorders and late dissemination to other organs and systems. We report a case of central nervous system histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent child.

Assessment of a real-time PCR method to detect human non-cryptococcal fungal meningitis

The signs and symptoms associated with fungal meningitis are similar to those seen with more common bacterial infections. In this study, we investigate whether Aspergillus or Candida DMA can be detected in cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] samples from patients suspected of fungal meningitis using real-time PCR assay. From April 2007 to November 2009, we evaluated CSF samples and sera from patients with risk factors for cerebral fungal meningitis in Nemazi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, by real-time PCR assay and routine mycological studies [direct microscopy examination and culture]. Two CSF and two serum samples from each patient were examined. CSF and serum samples from 38 patients [total: 152] suspected of fungal meningitis were examined. India ink staining and KOH smear were negative for all patients. C. albicans was isolated from two CSF samples. There were ten patients with positive real-time PCR results in their CSF samples: three patients had C. albicans, one with C. glabrata, four with Aspergillus species and two with both C. albicans and Aspergillus species DMA. Four patients had positive serum results for Aspergillus or Candida infections. Considering the findings, it seems that molecular examination can help in the diagnosis of fungal meningitis in patients with clinical and radiological presentations. Further studies should be conducted in other regions and settings to confirm these findings

Chronic meningitis by histoplasmosis: report of a child with acute myeloid leukemia

Meningitis is a common evolution in progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in children, and is asymptomatic in many cases. In leukemia, the impaired of the T cells function can predispose to the disseminated form. The attributed mortality rate in this case is 20 percent-40 percent and the relapse rate is as high as 50 percent; therefore, prolonged treatment may be emphasized. We have described a child with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), that developed skin lesions and asymptomatic chronic meningitis, with a good evolution after prolonged treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate followed by fluconazole.

Cerebral aspergilloma presenting as atypical meningioma in an immunologically competent patient: a case report.

A 36-year-old man presented with history suggestive of intracranial space occupying lesion. Computed tomography of brain revealed a large lobulated, extra axial, hyperdense lesion in the right fronto-temporal region extending up to to the right frontal and ethmoidal sinuses, eroding the bone, enhancing homogeneously with contrast, which was suggestive of atypical meningioma. He had no predisposing factors that could lead to the suspicion of opportunistic infection. Craniotomy and total excision of the lesion was done. Histopathological study revealed aspergilloma.

Candida tropicalis meningitis in a young infant.

Candida tropicalis is a rare species of Candida causing meningitis. The authors report a young infant who developed Candida tropicalis meningitis following a prolonged stay in a neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress and intra-cranial hemorrhage. The child was successfully treated with recommended doses of Amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine for eight weeks.

Aspergillosis of central nervous system: a study of 21 patients seen in a university hospital in south India.

AIM: To study the pattern of central nervous system aspergillosis in a tropical country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case records of patients with CNS aspergillosis seen by the authors in a university hospital in south India were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients seen during the study period, 16 (76%) patients had intracranial invasion by contiguous spread from paranasal sinuses and one had from ear. Predisposing risk factors were present in two (12.5%) patients with sinocranial aspergillosis and in both patients with disseminated form. Skull bases syndromes were the presenting features in 13 patients, six patients presented with features of intracranial space occupying lesion and two patients had stroke like presentation. CT scans showed intracranial extradural contrast enhancing mass lesions in the anterior, middle or posterior cranial fossa in addition to mass lesions in the paranasal sinuses in 13 patients with sinocranial aspergillosis and in seven orbital lesions. Intracerebral contrast enhancing mass lesion was the CT finding in both the patients with solitary cerebral aspergillus granuloma and in the patient with otocranial aspergillus granuloma. Well-formed granuloma with dense fibrosis was the histological feature in patients with sinocranial and otocranial aspergillosis. Angioinvasion was the pathological feature in both the patients with disseminated form of aspergillosis. Surgical treatment was sub-radical in our series. Survival rates were not good even after surgical and antifungal chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in this part of the world sinocranial aspergillosis is the most common form of histologically verified CNS aspergillosis. Associated predisposing factors and immune status of the host determine the clinical syndrome and type of pathology in patients with CNS aspergillosis.

Aspergillosis in the frontal sinus with intracranial extension: report of 1 case and analysis of the literature

The authors report a case of the 53 year old man carrier of aspergillosis in the both ethmoid and frontal sinus without association with the HIV virus. Aspergillosis in its focal and disseminated form is frequently associated with immune dysfunction, especially with patients carriers of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and it constitutes, when present in the central nervous system (CNS), a serious infection with difficult control and high morbidity index. The habitual treatment for these cases consists of the resection of the necrotic tissue and, so much as possible, of the lesions and also the administration and lingering use of liposomal amphotericin B.A lot of times, the invasion of the orbit and of the paranasal sinus can justify an aggressive conduct with extensive cranium-facial surgeries. The patient in subject was submitted to the partial resection of the lesion, which invaded the base of the anterior floor and the base of the frontal lobe to the orbitary cone and mesial face of the orbit. There was as postoperative complication, a liquoric fistula of difficult treatment due to the fragility of the dura mater in the base of the cranium infiltrated by the lesion. It received, for about 12 months, amphotericin in high doses and he comes maintaining himself stable of the clinical-neurological point of view. The authors discuss the etiopathogeny, the diagram of flow of the diagnostic and therapeutics conducts and they point out the need to include aspeergillosis of the SNC as disease of badly prognostic, deserving aggressive therapeutics in its initial phase

Cryptococcal meningitis in AIDS--need for early diagnosis.

Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common opportunistic fungal infection in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) contributing to the increased morbidity and mortality. This important infection in AIDS seems to be under diagnosed in India. We discuss the clinical features, laboratory diagnosis and therapy of seven cases of cryptococcal meningitis detected in our hospital. Diagnosis was established in all cases by identification of the fungus in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by India Ink preparation and positive fungal culture in CSF and/or Blood. Six patients were treated with Amphotericin B and Flucytosine. Two were cured and have not relapsed on suppressive therapy. Two died during treatment. Two were lost to follow up. All the three patients who died had positive fungal culture in blood and CSF. Presence of Cryptococcemia in Cryptococcal meningitis is an indicator of poor prognosis. A high index of clinical suspicion and routine mycological surveillance essential to identify this infection.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis with hemiparesis occurred in a young woman who was not a known diabetic. Rhyzopus species grew from the initial nasal biopsy. The patient was treated with amphotericin B, in addition to control of diabetic ketoacidosis. Surgical intervention was not done. The patient died on the fourth day of hospitalisation.