Pericardial Effusion Due to Trichosporon japonicum: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Invasive infections due to Trichosporon spp. are life-threatening opportunistic fungal infections that may affect a wide array of organs. Here, we described a case of pericardial effusion due to Trichosporon japonicum in a 42-year-old female after a heart transplantation. T. japonicum was isolated from the pericardial fluid, pericardial drain hole and the swab of the sternal surgery scar wound. The late mycological diagnosis due to blood culture negative, the ineffective control of pulmonary bacterial infection and the late start antifungal therapy were the contributing factors in the patient’s death.

A novel report on the emerging and zoonotic neurotropic fungus Trichosporon japonicum in the brain tissue of the endangered Brazilian guitarfish (Pseudobatos horkelii) off the southeastern coast of Brazil

“…Although considered an exceedingly rare representative within the Trichosporon genus, clinical cases of contamination by T. japonicum have been reported in several regions, including Japan, where this species was initially discovered in 1971 from the atmosphere of a microbiological laboratory, as well as other countries [ 72 – 74 ]. The first documented clinical case of T. japonicum contamination occurred in 2008, involving a child diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who experienced fungemia associated with T. japonicum [ 75 ].…”

Early Postoperative Cardiac Complications Following Heart Transplantation

“…Pericardial effusion is described as an early complication following orthotopic cardiac transplantation that requires surgical interventions, which in turn prolongs hospitalization as well as increases the early mortality rate [88,89]. Moderate to severe pericardial effusion has been reported in more than 20% of patients during the first months; however, the progress of this complication later than one year after heart transplantation is rare [90].…”