Blastoschizomyces Capitatus Pneumonia in an Immunocompetent Male
Blastoschizomyces capitatus is an emerging fungal pathogen. It has been well characterized as a cause of local and disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts, especially in the setting of neutropenia. We describe a case of B capitatus pneumonia in an otherwise healthy man and review the clinical presentation, microbiologic characteristics, and treatment strategies for B capitatus infections.
Blastoschizomyces capitatus is recognized as an emerging fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients, especially those with underlying hematologic malignancies. Severe neutropenia, cytotoxic chemotherapy, prolonged antibiotic use, indwelling vascular devices, and corticosteroid use have all been linked to invasive disease. Normally a colonizer of the skin and the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, the organism may cause disseminated disease in the setting of immune system compromise. Although local infections have been reported, these are often thought to be secondary to hematogenous spread. We present a case of B capitatus pneumonia in an otherwise healthy patient, and postulate a novel route of infection.
Blastoschizomyces capitatus is an emerging fungal pathogen. It has been well characterized as a cause of local and disseminated disease in immunocompromised hosts, especially in the setting of neutropenia. We describe a case of B capitatus pneumonia in an otherwise healthy man and review the clinical presentation, microbiologic characteristics, and treatment strategies for B capitatus infections.
Blastoschizomyces capitatus is recognized as an emerging fungal pathogen in immunocompromised patients, especially those with underlying hematologic malignancies. Severe neutropenia, cytotoxic chemotherapy, prolonged antibiotic use, indwelling vascular devices, and corticosteroid use have all been linked to invasive disease. Normally a colonizer of the skin and the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, the organism may cause disseminated disease in the setting of immune system compromise. Although local infections have been reported, these are often thought to be secondary to hematogenous spread. We present a case of B capitatus pneumonia in an otherwise healthy patient, and postulate a novel route of infection.
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