Angioinvasion by Cunninghamella as a Cause of Anterior Spinal Artery Syndrome in an Immunocompromised Patient. Issue 4 (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Engskow, Danielle G.; Nanjappa, Sowmya; Tran, Nam D.; Sandin, Ramon L.; Greene, John N.
• Is Part Of: Infectious diseases in clinical practice. Volume 26:Issue 4(2018:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: infection -- Cunninghamella -- fungal pneumonia -- anterior spinal artery syndrome; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1097/IPC.0000000000000555
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1056-9103

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Cunninghamella bertholletiae is an opportunistic fungi species in the order Mucorales that almost exclusively affects immunocompromised hosts. It is highly invasive and is well known for angioinvasion of surrounding vasculature. We describe a case of pulmonary Cunninghamella infection with dissemination and invasion of the anterior spinal artery causing anterior spinal artery syndrome. Abstract : This case describes a neutropenic patient with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia status post hematopoietic stem cell transplantation-matched unrelated donor who developed pulmonary Cunninghamella that disseminated and invaded the anterior spinal artery causing anterior spinal artery syndrome as well as black, necrotic buttock lesions. This case report demonstrates the importance of considering fungi, especially Cunninghamella, as a cause of anterior spinal artery syndrome in immunocompromised patients.