Disseminated Fusariosis in patient with Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A case report and literature review

Author: Ang Tick Sheng
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: fungaemia, plaques, Malaysia
From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology 2011;27(-):14-14
CountryMalaysia
Language:English
Abstract: Introduction: Fusarium spp is an opportunistic fungal pathogen which is being isolated with increasing frequency as a pathogen in oncohematologic patients who are immunocompromised, particularly those who are neutropenic. Case summary: We herein report a case of a 21 year-old old lady with refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia on chemotherapy who presented to us with multiple erythematous plaques with central necrosis for past 10 days involving the bilateral upper limb and lower limb. Diagnosis of disseminated fusariosis was made by positive blood cultures and skin biopsy for fungal culture to Fusarium spp. She was treated with intravenous voriconazole for one month. The patient was in complete remission with no signs of clinical activity of the Fusarium infection. Conclusion: There is a need to exclude the other causes of cutaneous plaques occurring in leukaemic patients.