Cunninghamella infection post bone marrow transplant: case report and review of the literature

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2000 Jun;25(11):1213-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1702395.

Abstract

Cunninghamella spp., in the class Zygomycete and order Mucorales, are unusual opportunistic pathogens that have been identified with increased frequency in immunocompromised patients. Infections with this group of organisms have been seen most frequently in patients with hematologic malignancy. We describe an allogeneic bone marrow recipient who developed fungal pneumonitis and disseminated fungal dermatitis caused by Cunninghamella spp. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Cunninghamella infection in a BMT recipient. The case highlights the mortality associated with opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients and confirms the risk factors associated with non-candida fungal infections after bone marrow transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow Transplantation* / immunology
  • Cunninghamella*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / methods
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis / etiology*
  • Opportunistic Infections / etiology*
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Whole-Body Irradiation

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents