Fatal empyema thoracis caused by Schizophyllum commune with cross-reactive cryptococcal antigenemia.
We report a fatal case of Schizophyllum commune empyema thoracis with cross-reactive cryptococcal antigenemia. In vitro testing confirmed the ability of the fungus to cause a positive cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination system (CALAS) test result. Such a result may lead to delay in diagnosis and treatment, as most strains of S. commune are resistant to fluconazole.
State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Jasper F W
JF
Chan
Jade L L
JL
Teng
Iris W S
IW
Li
Sally C Y
SC
Wong
Sally S M
SS
Leung
Po-On
PO
Ho
Kelvin K W
KK
To
Susanna K P
SK
Lau
Patrick C Y
PC
Woo
Kwok-Yung
KY
Yuen
D000368:Aged; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000097:blood*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003454:Cryptococcus / Q000276:immunology*; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007841:Latex Fixation Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D012567:Schizophyllum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA
D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D004271:DNA, Fungal