Alternaria alternata soft tissue infection in a forearm transplant recipient.
BACKGROUND
Composite tissue allograft recipients require intensive immunosuppression and are therefore at risk of infections. Filamentous fungal infections are among the complications most difficult to manage in organ transplant recipients.


METHODS
Case report and literature review.


METHODS
Two years after bilateral forearm transplantation, a 35-year-old patient presented with a tumor-like lesion on his thigh after a penetrating injury caused by a sliver acquired during hiking. The lesion was excised completely, and microscopic examination revealed a filamentous fungal infection. Alternaria alternata was identified as the causative agent. Induction therapy with liposomal amphotericin B for one week followed by oral itraconazole maintenance therapy for eight weeks was successful, with no signs of recurrence or side effects at 18 months' follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of invasive A. alternata infection in a composite tissue allograft recipient. The infection was managed successfully with local excision and systemic antifungal treatment.
Bonatti
Hugo
H
Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. hugo.bonatti@dr.com
Lass-Flörl
Cornelia
C
Zelger
Bettina
B
Lottersberger
Clemens
C
Singh
Nina
N
Pruett
Timothy L
TL
Margreiter
Raimund
R
Schneeberger
Stefan
S
D000328:Adult; D000528:Alternaria; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001132:Arm / Q000637:transplantation*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D017964:Itraconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014180:Transplantation; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000382:microbiology*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; C068538:liposomal amphotericin B; D017964:Itraconazole; D000666:Amphotericin B