Visceral phaeohyphomycosis caused by Alternaria alternata offering a diagnostic as well as a therapeutic challenge

Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation : an Official Publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
H RazaK Muhammad

Abstract

Phaeohyphomycosis is a heterogeneous group of opportunistic infections caused by dematiaceous molds, which are distributed worldwide as plant pathogens but rarely cause human diseases. However, due to the growing populations of immunocompromised patients, these fungi are frequently recognized as important human pathogens. We are reporting this very rare, unique case for the first time from Islamabad, Pakistan, describing the association of visceral Phaeohyphomycosis caused by the opportunistic fungus Alternaria alternata, affecting the left kidney, with the immunocompromised state in a young incidentally detected patient with insulin-dependent type I diabetes. The case was diagnosed on the basis of a high index of clinical suspicion, microbial cultures, microscopy, imaging studies and endourological procedures. The patient did not respond well to the highly sensitive Amphotericin B, resulting in loss of the kidney. Therefore, we suggest that clinicians involved in treating immunocompromised patients should have a high degree of clinical suspicion for such opportunistic pathogens to allow timely initiation of the correct diagnostic and therapeutic work-up.

Citations

Feb 22, 2016·Infectious Disease Clinics of North America·Eunice H Wong, Sanjay G Revankar
Mar 19, 2016·Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease·Silvia AngelettiUNKNOWN Sanitary Bureau of Asylum Seekers Center of Castelnuovo di Porto

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