Disseminated fusariosis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A case report and literature review

ABSTRACT

Fusarium spp are molds found in the soil and may be saprophytic or fa c u l t a t ive plant p a t h ogens. These are rare but important opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients especially those with hematologic malignancies. Fusarium spp usually cause local infections such as onychomycosis and infections of surgical and burn wound. However more importantly, these pathogens can lead to severe disseminated infection with invo l vement of multiple organs including skin. This disseminated form of fusariosis occurs exclusively in patients with prolonged, severe neutropaenia especially in patients with acute leukaemia or those u n d e rgoing bone marrow transplantation. Prognosis of disseminated fusariosis is usually guarded if not recognized early. We report a rare case of disseminated fusariosis in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.