Successful eradication of mucormycosis occurring in a pulmonary allograft.
The zygomycetes are saprophytic fungi that rarely cause disease in the normal human host. In immunocompromised individuals, these organisms can cause invasive infections, collectively called mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is associated with a high mortality rate, especially in organ transplant recipients. In this report, we describe the first case of successfully treated mucormycosis involving a pulmonary allograft. Treatment consisted of surgical excision of the affected lobe and chest wall and lipid-complex amphotericin B. The lipid complex formulation permitted a prolonged course of therapy that was likely critical to eradication of the infection.
Hunstad
D A
DA
Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
Cohen
A H
AH
St Geme
J W
JW
D000293:Adolescent; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016041:Heart-Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009090:Mucorales / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009091:Mucormycosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000666:Amphotericin B