Cerebral Aspergillosis -Patient KH; MR scans of Brain

Date: 26 November 2013

T1 weighted, gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance brain scan. This 43 year-old alcoholic woman underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in January 2001. Ten days after surgery, she became confused, dysphasic and eventually had tonic-clonic seizures. A CT scan showed non-communicating hydrocephalus with ventriculitis. She underwent many complicated neurosurgical interventions, and received long term broad-spectrum antimicrobials and dexamethasone. One month later, she had generalized seizures, and a large abscess was observed on scan (see images). A heavy growth of A. fumigatus was retrieved from the abscess, and amphotericin B and 5-flucytosine were started. Antifungal therapy was changed voriconazole due to intolerance to amphotericin B and worsening disorientation. Voriconazole dosing (which varied from 300mg to 100mg twice daily) was guided by plasma concentrations as enzyme induction with rifampicin and carbamazepine, and reduction in clearance with alcoholic liver disease complicated her voriconazole dosing. Steroids were gradually reduced. She had a good recovery and completed 9 months of voriconazole.

Despite air filtration in the operating rooms, she apparently acquired an intra-operative infection, probably accelerated in presentation by concurrent dexamethasone. Rapid diagnosis and optimization of voriconazole dosing lead to a good outcome.

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Showing 10 posts of 2574 posts found.
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  • Drug rashes: Drug interactions between steroids and anti-fungal drugs – (ecchymosis)

    Image A: Red skin rash on arms due to effect of inhaled steroids termed ecchymosis., Image B: Red skin rash on arms due to effect of inhaled steroids termed ecchymosis., Image C: Papular rash with blisters on the back, associated with CPA but prior to treatment, rash appeared 2 years previously in October 2007. The rash resolved on treatment with azoles., Image D: Papular rash with blisters on the back, associated with CPA but prior to treatment, rash appeared 2 years previously in October 2007. The rash resolved on treatment with azoles.

  • Reference: Muco-cutaneous retinoid effects and facial erythema related to the novel triazole antifungal agent voriconazole. Denning, DW & Griffiths, CEM. Clin.Exp Dermatol 2001, 26(8), 648-53.
    Courtesy of Dr D Denning, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.(© Fungal Research Trust)

    Patient AB: Voriconazole rash. Following 8 weeks of Voriconazole, patient had remarkable facial erythema, most consistent with sun exposure because of sparing of her neck., Patient AB: Voriconazole rash. Following 8 weeks of Voriconazole, patient had remarkable facial erythema, most consistent with sun exposure because of sparing of her neck., Patient AB: Discoid lupus erythematosus following 12 months voriconazole therapy. This improved with use of sunblock factor 30 and resolved after discontinuation of voriconazole, 2 months later.

  • Micrographs of A. niger conidia & conidial heads provided by Amaliya Stepanova, Head of Laboratory pathomorphology and cytology at Kashkin Research Institute, Russian Federation.

    A niger conidial head TEM in vitro (РКПГF-1124), A niger mature conidium TEM in vitro (РКПГF-1124)

  • Micrographs of A. terreus conidia & conidial heads provided by Amaliya Stepanova, , Head of Laboratory pathomorphology and cytology at Kashkin Research Institute, Russian Federation.

    A terreus aleurospore TEM in vitro (РКПГF-1275), A terreus mature conidium SEM in vitro (РКПГ-1275), A terreus mature conidial head SEM in vitro

  • Micrographs of A. fumigatus conidia & conidial heads provided by Amaliya Stepanova, , Head of Laboratory pathomorphology and cytology at Kashkin Research Institute, Russian Federation.

    Conidial head (SEM), Part of conidial head (SEM), Mature conidia (SEM), Hyphae (SEM), Murine lung tissue (TEM)

  • Isolate from environmental sample

    A. clavatus, A. clavatus, A. clavatus

  • Patients has history of ABPA complicating long standing asthma. His total IgE has fluctuated between 2,200 and 4,600 KU/L, his Aspergillus IgE between 36.3 and 65.4 kAU/L and Aspergillus IgG from 87-154 mg/L. He has been taking long term itraconazole.

    December 2012, May 2012, AW CT Dec 2012 2, February 2010