title: Scedosporium apiospermum brain abscesses in an immunocompetent man with silicosis.
abstract: We report a case of Scedosporium apiosporum brain abscesses in an immunocompetent 69-year-old man with a history of silicosis. Delayed diagnosis and institution of antifungal therapy was associated with neurological impairment, with subsequent complications resulting in death, highlighting the need for early diagnostic aspiration of brain abscesses non-responsive to antibiotics. We propose that, in the absence of identifiable immunosuppression, silicosis may have been a contributing factor to the development of central nervous system infection.
authors.affiliation: Canberra Hospital and Health Services, P.O. Box 11 Woden, ACT 2606, Australia.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Canberra Hospital and Health Services, P.O. Box 11 Woden, ACT 2606, Australia ; Australian National University Medical School, Canberra ACT 0200, Australia.
authors.forename: Karina J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Kennedy
keywords: Brain abscess; Immunocompetent; Scedosporium; Silicosis