Phaeohyphomycosis of the central nervous system in immunocompetent hosts: report of a case and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Phaeohyphomycosis refers to infections caused by phaeoid fungi that can have an aggressive course in normal hosts. Involvement of the central nervous system may occur with a generally poor outcome. Clinical report and literature review: We report a case of Bipolaris sp. brain abscess in an immunologically competent host. We also review all previous cases of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis in normal hosts reported in the literature to date.


CONCLUSIONS
Central nervous system phaeohyphomycosis remains an unusual disease; however, its incidence has been increasing in recent years. The prognosis of this condition is still poor, despite medical and surgical interventions. Aggressive diagnostic approaches and careful interpretation of cultures might modify the natural history of this disease.
Filizzola
Marcelo J
MJ
Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, Texas, USA. filizzola@aol.com
Martinez
Fernando
F
Rauf
Shariq J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D001203:Ascomycota / Q000254:growth & development*; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D020314:Central Nervous System Fungal Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*