Diagnosis of fusariosis in urine cytology.
Fusarium is a filamentous fungus widely distributed in plants and in the soil. Most species are more common at tropical and subtropical areas. Besides being a common contaminant and a well-known plant pathogen, Fusarium sp may cause various infections in humans. However, it has not yet been reported as being the pathogen of urinary tract infection. A 67-year-old woman had extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and percutaneous nephrolithotomy for renal stones 7 and 6 years ago, respectively. She had had fever, chillness, urinary urgency and frequency for 6 days. Routine testing of urine showed numerous leucocytes. She was admitted under the impression of urinary tract infection. On admission, many spindle-shaped structures were found in the urine smears. This shows that Fusarium was identified. Fusarium may be the pathogen of the urinary tract infection, particularly when urolithiasis is present.
Su
Cheng-Chuan
CC
Department of Clinical Pathology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan. sucpo@yahoo.com.tw
Hsu
Hui-Jine
HJ
Wu
Jiunn-Jong
JJ
Chou
Chien-Wen
CW
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005670:Fusarium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000150:complications; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000379:methods; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*