ABSTRACT
TYPE: Case Report TOPIC: Chest Infections INTRODUCTION: Irpex lacteus is a basidiomycete found on decaying wood. Known uses include the saccharification of wheat for ethanol production;decolorization of textile effluent wastewater;and detoxification of effluents from the debittering process of olives. Rarely found to cause a human mycosis, and ours is the first adult pulmonary case that is reported. CASE PRESENTATION: 61 yr old male with Stage 4ae B cell lymphoma and bcl6 amplification s/p RCHOP, presented with recurrent right effusions. The patient yielded 500mL of transudative effusion. No prior COVID infections and he was fully vaccinated. He worked by cutting down wood in the forests. No complaints of hemoptysis, night sweats, or weight loss. PET scan revealed anterior mediastinal calcifications, a large right effusion, and a LLL nodule. The LLL nodule was biopsied, and pathology revealed necrotizing granulomas. Bronchoscopy with EBUS did not reveal granulomas within the mediastinal lymph nodes. BAL from the LLL revealed a fungal culture positive for I. lacteus. The patient did not undergo further treatment for the positive fungal culture. Follow up PET scan did not reveal progression of his lymphoma. DISCUSSION: The two documented cases of I. lacteus were within a 9 yr old with ALL and pulmonary abscess;and a 73 yr old with sarcoidosis and fungal meningitis. Due to his clinical stability, he did not require amphotericin B, as was needed in the two prior cases. CONCLUSIONS: I.lacteus is a rare cause of a human mycosis. Further investigation would be warranted in terms of treatment, as there are so few cases. DISCLOSURE: Nothing to declare. KEYWORD: fungal