title: Optic Neuropathy and Stroke Secondary to Invasive Aspergillus in an Immunocompetent Patient.
abstract: Angioinvasive aspergillosis is an aggressive fungal infection that is potentially life threatening without prompt treatment. Optic nerve involvement of Aspergillus can mimic optic neuritis commonly seen in demyelinating and other inflammatory conditions. Treatment of Aspergillus infection with steroids may worsen the clinical course. We describe a unique case of disseminated central nervous system aspergillosis, initially presenting as an optic neuropathy, with subsequent stroke in multiple vascular territories.
authors.affiliation: Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health (CMH), Cleveland Clinic, Las Vegas, Nevada; Cerebrovascular Center (SJ), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Neuroscience Institute (AS), Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, Florida; Mellen Center of Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research (MAW), Cleveland Clinic; Department of Neuro-Ophthalmology (GSK), Cleveland Clinic Cole Eye Institute; Department of Anatomic Pathology (RAP); and Section of Neurologic Infectious Disease (AB), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors.forename: Carrie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Hersh
authors.forename: Seby
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Adnan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Subei
authors.forename: Mary A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: Gregory S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Kosmorsky
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Prayson
authors.forename: Adarsh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bhimraj
mesh_terms: D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed