[Bronchoscopic intervention therapy for pulmonary mucormycosis with main bronchial occlusion: a case report].

Pulmonary mucormycosis is one of the most common types of mucormycosis. Tracheobronchial pulmonary mucormycosis primarily affects the tracheobronchial tree, causing lesions that can invade the airway mucosa and muscular layer, damaging the cartilage. It is characterised by acute onset, rapid progression, and high mortality rate, making clinical treatment challenging. This article reports the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with pulmonary mucormycosis complicated by left main bronchus occlusion. In addition to systemic treatment, which consisted mainly of an intravenous injection of amphotericin B combined with an oral suspension of posaconazole, the patient underwent multiple bronchoscopic interventions, including local infusion of amphotericin B under endoscopy, balloon dilation and silicone stent placement. After four months of comprehensive treatment, the therapeutic effect was satisfactory. This report demonstrates that bronchoscopic intervention therapy plays an important role in the comprehensive treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis, especially in preventing death from the progression to obstructive pneumonia.

Infección pulmonar por micobacterias no tuberculosas / Lung infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria

Objetivo: Describir la epidemiología y hallazgos en tomografía computarizada (TC) de las infecciones pulmonares por micobacterias no tuberculosas (IPMNT) y su evolución según el tratamiento. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 131 pacientes consecutivos con cultivos positivos para micobacterias no tuberculosas (MNT) entre 2005 y 2016. Se seleccionaron los que cumplían con los criterios diagnósticos de IPMNT. Se analizaron los datos epidemiológicos, clínicos, microbiológicos, radiológicos, el tratamiento recibido y la evolución en función de este. Resultados: Se incluyeron 34 pacientes con una edad media de 55 años, el 67,6% hombres. El 50% estaba inmunodeprimido (VIH positivos, el 58,8%); el 20,6% tenía EPOC; el 5,9%, neoplasias conocidas; el 5,9%, fibrosis quística; y el 29,4% no presentaba comorbilidades. El 20,6% presentaba antecedentes de tuberculosis y el 20,6% estaba infectado por otros microorganismos. Mycobacterium avium complex fue el germen más frecuentemente aislado (52,9%). Siete pacientes (20,6%) presentaron además infecciones por otros microorganismos. En la TC, los hallazgos más frecuentes fueron: nódulos (64,7%), patrón en árbol en brote (61,8%), nódulos centrolobulillares (44,1%), consolidaciones (41,2%), bronquiectasias (35,3%) y cavidades (32,4%). Se realizó un estudio comparativo de los hallazgos entre hombres y mujeres y entre pacientes inmunodeprimidos e inmunocompetentes. El 67,6% recibió antituberculostáticos (el 72% mostró mejoría) y el 20,6%, antibióticos convencionales (todos con mejoría radiológica). Conclusión: El diagnóstico de la IPMNT es complejo. Los hallazgos clínicos y radiológicos son inespecíficos y un porcentaje importante de pacientes puede presentar otras infecciones concomitantes.(AU)

Objective: To describe the epidemiology and CT findings for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections and outcomes depending on the treatment. Material and methods: We retrospectively studied 131 consecutive patients with positive cultures for nontuberculous mycobacteria between 2005 and 2016. We selected those who met the criteria for nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infection. We analyzed the epidemiologic data; clinical, microbiological, and radiological findings; treatment; and outcome according to treatment. Results: We included 34 patients (mean age, 55 y; 67.6% men); 50% were immunodepressed (58.8% of these were HIV+), 20.6% had COPD, 5.9% had known tumors, 5.9% had cystic fibrosis, and 29.4% had no comorbidities. We found that 20.6% had a history of tuberculosis and 20.6% were also infected with other microorganisms. Mycobacterium avium complex was the most frequently isolated germ (52.9%); 7 (20.6%) were also infected with other organisms. The most common CT findings were nodules (64.7%), tree-in-bud pattern (61.8%), centrilobular nodules (44.1%), consolidations (41.2%), bronchiectasis (35.3%), and cavities (32.4%). We compared findings between men and women and between immunodepressed and immunocompetent patients. Treatment was antituberculosis drugs in 67.6% of patients (72% of whom showed improvement) and conventional antibiotics in 20.6% (all of whom showed radiologic improvement). Conclusion: The diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung infections is complex. The clinical and radiologic findings are nonspecific and a significant percentage of pateints can have other, concomitant infections.(AU)

Ethanolic Extract Propolis-Loaded Niosomes Diminish Phospholipase B1, Biofilm Formation, and Intracellular Replication of Cryptococcus neoformans in Macrophages.

Secretory phospholipase B1 (PLB1) and biofilms act as microbial virulence factors and play an important role in pulmonary cryptococcosis. This study aims to formulate the ethanolic extract of propolis-loaded niosomes (Nio-EEP) and evaluate the biological activities occurring during PLB1 production and biofilm formation of Cryptococcus neoformans. Some physicochemical characterizations of niosomes include a mean diameter of 270 nm in a spherical shape, a zeta-potential of -10.54 ± 1.37 mV, and 88.13 ± 0.01% entrapment efficiency. Nio-EEP can release EEP in a sustained manner and retains consistent physicochemical properties for a month. Nio-EEP has the capability to permeate the cellular membranes of C. neoformans, causing a significant decrease in the mRNA expression level of PLB1. Interestingly, biofilm formation, biofilm thickness, and the expression level of biofilm-related genes (UGD1 and UXS1) were also significantly reduced. Pre-treating with Nio-EEP prior to yeast infection reduced the intracellular replication of C. neoformans in alveolar macrophages by 47%. In conclusion, Nio-EEP mediates as an anti-virulence agent to inhibit PLB1 and biofilm production for preventing fungal colonization on lung epithelial cells and also decreases the intracellular replication of phagocytosed cryptococci. This nano-based EEP delivery might be a potential therapeutic strategy in the prophylaxis and treatment of pulmonary cryptococcosis in the future.

Has the mortality from pulmonary mucormycosis changed over time? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is increasingly being reported in immunocompromised patients and has a high mortality. Our aim was to assess the mortality of PM and its trend over time. We also evaluated the role of combined medical-surgical therapy in PM. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane central databases. Studies were eligible if they described at least five confirmed cases of PM and reported mortality. We also assessed the effect of combined medical-surgical therapy versus medical treatment alone on PM mortality. We used a random-effects model to estimate the pooled mortality of PM and compared it across three time periods. The factors influencing mortality were assessed using meta-regression. We evaluated the risk difference (RD) of death in the following: subjects undergoing combined medical-surgical therapy versus medical therapy alone, subjects with isolated PM versus disseminated disease, and PM in diabetes mellitus (DM) versus non-DM as a risk factor. RESULTS: We included 79 studies (1544 subjects). The pooled mortality of PM was 57.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 51.7-62.6%). Mortality improved significantly over time (72.1% versus 58.3% versus 49.8% for studies before 2000, 2000-2009, and 2010-2020, respectively, p 0.00001). This improved survival was confirmed in meta-regression after adjusting for the study design, the country's income level, and the sample size. Combined medical-surgical therapy was associated with a significantly lower RD (95%CI) of death: -0.32 (-0.49 to -0.16). The disseminated disease had a higher risk of death than isolated PM, but DM was not associated with a higher risk of death than other risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: While PM is still associated with high mortality, we noted improved survival over time. Combined medical-surgical therapy improved survival compared to medical treatment alone.

Endemic Fungi Presenting as Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Review.

In endemic areas, dimorphic fungal infections due to Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides posadasii/immitis account for up to 30% of cases of community-acquired pneumonia. Because respiratory manifestations are often indistinguishable from common bacterial causes of pneumonia, the diagnosis of pulmonary histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and coccidioidomycosis is often delayed and associated with antibiotics overuse. In addition to being highly endemic to certain regions of North America, dimorphic fungi have global significance due to established areas of endemicity in all six inhabited continents, an increasingly interconnected world of travelers and transported goods, and a changing epidemiology as a result of global heating and anthropomorphic land utilization. In this review, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and treatment strategies for histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and coccidioidomycosis.

Congenital cutaneous candidiasis associated with maternal peripartum candidemia.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous congenital candidiasis (CCC) is a rare condition consisting of invasive fungal infection of the epidermis and dermis that mostly affects preterm infants. Maternal vaginal candidiasis is present in half of the cases, although the occurrence of invasive candidiasis during pregnancy or peripartum period is exceptional. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a full-term infant that was born by vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery to an apparently healthy 33 year-old woman with no history of intravenous drug use or vaginal candidiasis during pregnancy. The newborn showed a diffuse maculopapular rash with respiratory distress and bilateral interstitial lung infiltrates, requiring nasal continuous positive airway pressure support. Blood cultures obtained from the mother due to intrapartum fever yielded Candida albicans. Cultures of vaginal discharge and neonate skin also yielded C. albicans with the same in vitro susceptibly pattern. No alternative source for candidemia was identified. The clinical course after starting a systemic antifungal therapy was favorable in both the mother and the neonate, with clearance of candidemia and resolution of the skin lesions. CONCLUSIONS: CCC must be considered in full-term newborns with maculopapular rash at birth or during the first days of life. The absence of alternative sources for bloodstream infection in the present case suggests a potential etiopathogenic relationship between CCC and maternal candidemia. It is reasonable to rule out postpartum candidemia when CCC is suspected.

Fatal pulmonary sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in Northeast Brazil.

BACKGROUND: A relevant case of pulmonary sporotrichosis due to Sporothrix brasiliensis is reported in a 50-year-old immunocompetent woman who had no history of skin trauma, but was in close contact with several stray cats at her nap time. The patient was hospitalized after 7 months of illness. The survey was conducted for pulmonary tuberculosis, an endemic disease in Brazil. She presented multiple central pulmonary nodules images, with central cavitation. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The patient bronchoalveolar lavage was cultured and Sporothrix sp. growth was obtained. Then, the isolate (LMMM1097) was accurately identified to the species level by using species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Molecular diagnosis revealed that the emerging species Sporothrix brasiliensis was the agent of primary pulmonary sporotrichosis and the patient was treated with Amphotericin B lipid complex, but presented severe clinical symptoms and the fatal outcome was observed at day 25 after hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our report adds important contributions to the clinical-epidemiological features of sporotrichosis, showing the geographic expansion of the agent within different regions of Brazil and a rare clinical manifestation (primary pulmonary sporotrichosis) caused by the emerging agent S. brasiliensis in an immunocompetent female patient.

Pulmonary Mucormycosis: Risk Factors, Radiologic Findings, and Pathologic Correlation.

Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is an uncommon fungal infection most often seen in immunocompromised patients. The fungus grows on decaying food, soil, and animal excrement. Patients usually become infected by inhalation of spores. The most common risk factors include diabetes mellitus, hematologic malignancy, and solid organ or stem cell transplant. PM can have a nonspecific appearance at imaging. For example, early imaging may show peribronchial ground-glass opacity. Later, the disease progresses to consolidation, nodules, or masses. Because patients are usually immunocompromised, the differential diagnosis often includes invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). Various radiologic findings suggestive of PM have been identified to help differentiate it from IPA. For example, the reverse halo sign is more closely associated with PM than with IPA. The reverse halo sign is an area of ground-glass opacity surrounded by a rim of consolidation. In addition, the presence of pleural effusions and more than 10 nodules is more suggestive of PM than it is of IPA. PM can progress rapidly in neutropenic patients. Identification of the hyphae in tissue by using endobronchial or percutaneous sampling can allow differentiation from IPA and help confirm the diagnosis of mucormycosis. Because of the high mortality rate associated with PM, early identification of the disease is critical for an improved likelihood of survival. A multimodality treatment approach with antifungal agents and surgical débridement has been shown to improve outcomes. The authors review the risk factors for PM, describe its imaging appearance and disease process, and describe the treatment of the disease. ©RSNA, 2020.

Mucormycosis.

Mucormycosis is an infection caused by a group of filamentous molds within the order Mucorales. Infections may result from ingestion of contaminated food, inhalation of spores into the nares or lungs, or inoculation into disrupted skin or wounds. In developed countries, mucormycosis occurs primarily in severely immunocompromised hosts (e.g., those with hematological malignancies, organ transplantation, neutropenia, autoimmune disorders, or other impairments in immunity). Only 6 to 10% of cases occur in subjects with no underlying disease. In contrast, in developing countries, most cases of mucormycosis occur in persons with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or in immunocompetent subjects following trauma. Mucormycosis exhibits a marked propensity to invade blood vessels, leading to thrombosis, necrosis, and infarction of tissue. Mortality associated with invasive mucormycosis is high (> 30-50%), with 90% mortality associated with disseminated disease. Mortality rates are much lower, though still significant (10-30%), among patients with localized cutaneous disease.The diagnosis of mucormycosis relies upon histopathology and culture. Blood tests are of limited diagnostic value. Even with disseminated disease, blood cultures are usually negative. Mucorales have a distinct histological appearance, with irregular, nonseptate hyphae that branch at right angles. Cultures and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are important to identify the genera.Based on anatomic localization, mucormycosis can be classified as one of six forms: (1) rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM), (2) pulmonary, (3) cutaneous, (4) gastrointestinal (GI), (5) disseminated, and (6) mucormycosis of uncommon sites. Among diabetics, ROCM is the most common clinical presentation, whereas lung involvement is uncommon. In contrast, among organ transplant recipients or patients with hematological malignancies (HemeM), pulmonary and disseminated diseases are most common. Mucormycosis can progress rapidly, and delay in initiation of treatment by even a few days markedly worsens outcomes.Due to the rarity of mucormycosis, randomized controlled therapeutic trials have not been performed. Lipid formulations of amphotericin B (LFAB) are the mainstay of therapy, but the newer triazoles, posaconazole (POSA) and isavuconazole (ISAV) (the active component of the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate), may be effective in patients refractory to or intolerant of LFAB. Early surgical debridement or excision plays an important adjunctive role. Additional studies are required to assess the optimal duration of therapy as well as the specific roles of LFAB and the triazoles in the treatment of mucormycosis.

Isolated Pulmonary Mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient.

Mucormycosis is a life-threatening fungal infection that occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients. Its occurrence isolated in the lung rare and carries a high mortality risk if untreated. We report the case of a 76-year old male immunocompetent patient, under treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis, admitted to the emergency department with hemoptysis. Bronchoscopy was performed and active bleeding from the middle lobe bronchus was found. Chest CT scan identified a solitary cavitary lesion in the middle lobe. The patient was proposed for urgent open middle lobectomy. Postoperative period was uneventful. Pulmonary mucormycosis was confirmed and adjuvant therapy with Amphotericin B was performed for 30 days. Despite its rarity, mucormycosis prevalence is expected to raise together with increasing number of immunocompromised patients. A high level of suspicion is recommended as early diagnosis can be determinant.

Systemic air embolism in a fungal pneumonia patient with lung cavities formation and review of literature.

Systemic air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication related to many factors. The purpose of this article is to alert clinicians once patients occurs an abnormal neurological and cardiovascular status, following minor traumatic treatment, air embolism should be considered. A 20-year-old man who presented with fungal pneumonia with lung cavities formation was admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) and received positive airway pressure ventilation. Four days later, the fungal pneumonia was improved, but the patient's blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation deteriorated, so computed tomography (CT) scans were preformed to reevaluate him. The scans detected air embolism in the left atrium and ventricle, ascending aorta, aortic arch and its branches (right brachiocephalic, bilateral common carotid and right subclavian arteries), descending aorta and right coronary artery. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed air in the spleen, cauda pancreatic, superior mesenteric artery and right external iliac artery. The patient died two days later from multiple organ dysfunction. We suggest that vascular air embolism should be considered under mechanical ventilation when patients' neurologic and cardiovascular status deteriorates, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy should be conducted immediately.

TNF-α-Producing Cryptococcus neoformans Exerts Protective Effects on Host Defenses in Murine Pulmonary Cryptococcosis.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) plays a critical role in the control of cryptococcal infection, and its insufficiency promotes cryptococcal persistence. To explore the therapeutic potential of TNF-α supplementation as a booster of host anti-cryptococcal responses, we engineered a C. neoformans strain expressing murine TNF-α. Using a murine model of pulmonary cryptococcosis, we demonstrated that TNF-α-producing C. neoformans strain enhances protective elements of host response including preferential T-cell accumulation and improved Th1/Th2 cytokine balance, diminished pulmonary eosinophilia and alternative activation of lung macrophages at the adaptive phase of infection compared to wild type strain-infected mice. Furthermore, TNF-α expression by C. neoformans enhanced the fungicidal activity of macrophages in vitro. Finally, mice infected with the TNF-α-producing C. neoformans strain showed improved fungal control and considerably prolonged survival compared to wild type strain-infected mice, but could not induce sterilizing immunity. Taken together, our results support that TNF-α expression by an engineered C. neoformans strain while insufficient to drive complete immune protection, strongly enhanced protective responses during primary cryptococcal infection.

A 37-Year-Old Man With Pleuritic Chest Pain.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old man with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes presented with severe right-sided pleuritic chest pain, respiratory splinting, and cough. Two weeks earlier, he had been evaluated at an urgent care for cough and was prescribed a 5-day course of azithromycin for bronchitis. He then presented to our ED reporting mild, right-sided pleuritic chest pain. Vital signs were normal, and his chest radiograph showed a trace right pleural effusion (Fig 1A). He was discharged with naproxen for pleurisy. Three days later, he returned, reporting a dramatic increase in the severity of his pleuritic chest pain and a cough that had become productive of yellow-brown sputum. He denied fever, but endorsed chills and night sweats. His medications included atorvastatin, lisinopril, metformin, and saxagliptin. His parents were from Guam, although he was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He was employed as a social worker and denied any history of cigarette smoking, alcohol, or drug use.

Successful treatment of pulmonary mucormycosis in two pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

Pulmonary mucormycosis diagnosed immediately after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation frequently portends a poor prognosis. However, here we describe two cases in children that were treated successfully to highlight the efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach. Despite diagnosis in the immediate post-transplant period and requirement for ongoing immunosuppression to prevent or treat GVHD, both are long-term survivors due to early surgical debridement with transfusion support and prompt initiation of targeted antifungal therapy. In the absence of evidence-based treatment guidelines, survival of pulmonary mucormycosis is achievable even in high-risk patients with a multidisciplinary team to guide management.

Clinical features and radiological characteristics of pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Objective Diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis is difficult. In this study, we examined the clinical and radiological features that increase the diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary cryptococcosis. Methods This retrospective study included clinical data from 68 patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis from 2012 to 2016 in 3 tertiary hospitals. Results Among the 68 patients, 39 (57.35%) had no complications, 39 (57.35%) had clinical symptoms, 6 (8.82%) had a history of occupational exposure, 27 (39.71%) had a single nodule/mass (the most common type of pulmonary cryptococcosis) on chest computed tomography images, 21 (30.88%) had multiple nodules/masses, 16 (23.53%) had ground glass opacity with or without nodules, 2 (2.94%) had miliary nodules, and 2 (2.94%) had enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Fifty-three (77.94%) patients had lesions with irregular margins, 33 (48.53%) had spiculated lesions, 32 (47.06%) had air bronchograms, 9 (13.24%) had cavities, and 4 (5.88%) had calcifications. Twenty-four patients underwent surgery, 35 received antifungal treatment, and 9 received both treatments. Conclusion The clinical features and computed tomography signs found in this study are not specific for a diagnosis of pulmonary cryptococcosis. Therefore, an increased awareness of pulmonary cryptococcosis is needed among clinicians.

Aspergillus Sternomyelitis Developed from Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis as a Late Complication to Lobectomy for Lung Cancer.

Progressive fibrobullous changes in the residual lobes are sometimes observed after lobectomy. Aspergillus osteomyelitis is an uncommon infection that rarely occurs sternally. A 70-year-old man who had undergone lobectomy 12 years earlier was admitted to our hospital for chest pain. He was diagnosed with Aspergillus sternomyelitis based on sternal bone culture after an ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle biopsy. The fibrosis and right residual lung apex volume loss had gradually progressed over 12 years, and therefore, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) with direct invasion sternal from the CPA was considered. Aspergillus sternomyelitis can develop from CPA as a late complication of lobectomy.

Characteristics of pulmonary mucormycosis and predictive risk factors for the outcome.

PURPOSE: Little is known about risk factors for the outcome of pulmonary mucormycosis. We summarized characteristics of this rare disease, and systemically explored risk factors for the outcome. METHODS: Ninety-two patients with pulmonary mucormycosis, including 12 patients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and 80 patients published in 62 articles between 2006 and 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The median age was 47.5 years, and the male to female ratio was 2.8:1. Hematological disorders, diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency and organ transplantation were main underlying conditions. Twelve percent of patients had no underlying diseases. A predilection for involvement of upper lobes was noted, and thick-walled cavity was described in 37.0% of patients on chest computed tomography. Most of the patients were diagnosed by microscopic analysis (95.7%), mainly histopathology; and only a minority were diagnosed by culture of sterile materials (28.3%). The overall mortality rate was 30.4%. Four independent determinants were associated with a better prognosis: hemoptysis (adjusted OR 7.910; 95% CI 1.411-44.342), chronic onset (adjusted OR 25.269, 95% CI 1.654-385.993), treated with medicine (adjusted OR 53.896, 95% CI 3.072-945.561), and treated with surgery (adjusted OR 5.983, 95% CI 1.497-23.918). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary mucormycosis is a rare infection with a high mortality. Invasive approach for histopathology and culture are crucial for a definite diagnosis. Acute onset patients had a poorer prognosis, and early treatment with antifungal therapy is imperative. Surgical approach is recommended in appropriate patients for a better outcome.