Aspergillosis of the cerebral ventricles in a heroin abuser. Case report and review of the literature.
Aspergillosis of the cerebral ventricles developed in a 36-year-old heroin abuser who died during the sixth week of illness. The diagnosis was not made during life. A review of our case and of four previous cases from the literature indicates that aspergillosis should be considered in parenteral drug abusers with the syndrome of chronic meningitis or ventriculitis. The diagnosis is difficult to establish, but serologic tests may be helpful. This form of CNS aspergillosis can be cured with antifungal drugs.
D000328:Adult; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D001231:Aspergillus flavus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis