Aspergillus vertebral osteomyelitis in chronic leukocyte leukemia patient diagnosed by a novel panfungal polymerase chain reaction method.
BACKGROUND
Vertebral osteomyelitis and disciitis caused by Aspergillus spp is a rare event. Early diagnosis and early antifungal therapy are critical in improving the prognosis for these patients. The diagnosis of invasive fungal infections is, in many cases, not straightforward and requires invasive procedures so that histological examination and culture can be performed. Furthermore, current traditional microbiological tests (ie, cultures and stains) lack the sensitivity for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.


OBJECTIVE
To present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus spp diagnosed using a novel polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Aspergillus DNA was detected in DNA extracted from the necrotic bone tissue by using a "panfungal" PCR novel method.


RESULTS
Treatment with voriconazole was started based on the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Using this novel technique enabled us to diagnose accurately an unusual bone pathogen that requires a unique treatment.
Dayan
Lior
L
Orthopedic B Department and J. Recanati Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Rambam Health Care Center, PO Box 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel. L_dayan@rambam.health.gov.il
Sprecher
Hannah
H
Hananni
Amos
A
Rosenbaum
Hana
H
Milloul
Victor
V
Oren
Ilana
I
D000368:Aged; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications*; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014230:Triazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D065819:Voriconazole
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D011743:Pyrimidines; D014230:Triazoles; D065819:Voriconazole