Multiple brain abscesses due to Penicillium spp infection

Abstract

SUMMARYWe present a case of central nervous system (CNS) infection by a member of the Penicillium genera in a HIV-negative man in Brazil. The patient was admitted complaining of loss of visual fields and speech disturbances. CT scan revealed multiple brain abscesses. Stereothacic biopsies revealed fungal infection and amphotericin B treatment begun with initial improvement. The patient died few days later as a consequence of massive gastrointestinal bleeding due to ruptured esophageal varices. The necropsy and final microbiologic analyses disclosed infection by Penicillium sp. There are thousands of fungal species of the Penicillium genera. Systemic penicilliosis is caused by the P. marneffei and was formerly a rare disease, but now is one of the most common opportunistic infection of AIDS patients in Southeast Asia. The clinical presentation usually involves the respiratory system and the skin, besides general symptoms like fever and weight loss. Penicillium spp infection caused by species other than P. marneffei normally cause only superficial or allergic disease but rare cases of invasive disease do occur. We report the fourth case of Penicillium spp CNS infection.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage Related With Penicillium Species Following Deceased-Donor Liver Transplant

“…Penicillium species are a species of fungi found as a part of normal flora of indoor and outdoor air, and approximately 225 subspecies have been defined to date. 9 The most potent pathogen of this group is Penicillium marneffei, which has a similar invasion capacity as Aspergillus species. 9 Systemic dissemination almost always occurs in patients with immunosuppression due to various reasons.…”

“…9 The most potent pathogen of this group is Penicillium marneffei, which has a similar invasion capacity as Aspergillus species. 9 Systemic dissemination almost always occurs in patients with immunosuppression due to various reasons. 9 Clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of a posttransplant opportunistic CNSI should be taken seriously and investigated at once.…”

Airborne fungi in an intensive care unit

“…During the isolates' perform, the genus Penicilium was the most isolated fungi, meanwhile, a moderate frequency in the morning (8.86%) and in the afternoon (6.32%) periods was observed. Even so its presence becomes relevant by being involved in reported cases of disseminated infections (Ye et al, 2015), multiple brain abscesses (Noritomi et al, 2005), peritonitis (Böhlke et al, 2007) and pneumonia in immunocompromised patients (Oshikata et al, 2013).…”

Parietal Lobe Abscess Resulting from Penicillium Marneffei Infection in an Immunocompetent Nigerian: Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Mucocutaneous, oral, and facial manifestations that have been reported in patients with P. marneffei infection 25 were absent in this patient. Most such lesions are molluscum contagiosum-like umbilicated papules mainly distributed over the face and upper trunk 26 .…”

“…Extensive review of the English literature revealed only four cases of reported intracranial infection with Penicillium marneffei, with two of them in non-immunocompromised patients 26,28,29,30 .…”