Disseminated Cunninghamella bertholletiae infection with spinal epidural abscess in a kidney transplant patient: case report and literature review

Abstract

Cunninghamella bertholletiae is a rare cause of invasive mucormycosis. We report the case of a 42-year-old Thai woman who suffered from disseminated C. bertholletiae infection. The patient developed dry cough, sharp shooting pain in the left buttock referred to the left leg, and fever 1 month after undergoing deceased-donor kidney transplantation. Radiographic studies exhibited multiple pulmonary cavities, osteomyelitis of the sacral spine, epidural abscess along the lumbrosacral spine, and paravertebral soft tissue involvement. Surgical debridement of the epidural abscess concurrent with prolonged intravenous administration of amphotericin B resulted in a good outcome.

Disseminated mucormycosis masquerading as rejection early after orthotopic heart transplantation

“…To our knowledge, this is the first report of Cunninghamella in a heart transplant recipient. Cunninghamella infection has previously been reported in patients with hematologic malignancies and neutropenia, and in one recent report of disseminated infection with spinal epidural abscess in a renal transplant recipient . Our patient's fulminant and precipitous decline highlights the aggressive nature of invasive mold infections, particularly in patients with multifaceted immune dysfunction.…”

Disseminated mucormycosis with myocardial involvement in a renal transplant recipient

“…In addition, surgical resection may provide an additional benefit to patients with pulmonary mucormycosis that is confined to one lung . However, some conditions limit surgery, including the underlying disease, clinical state, delayed diagnosis, and the range of infection . Our patient presented with cavities of the right upper lobe and the right middle lobe with a left pleural effusion, which precluded surgical resection.…”

Early necrotic skin lesions after a ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantation: The threat of Cunninghamella Spp.

“…Cunninghamella Spp. are ubiquitous fungi found in the environment (soil, sewage, air, water, and vegetation), and inhalation is the primary means of contamination. Cunninghamella Spp.…”