Fusarium species causing invasive fungal pneumonia in an immunocompetent patient: a case report. Issue 12 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chae, Seung Yoon; Park, Hye Mi; Oh, Tae Hoon; Lee, Jong Eun; Lee, Hyo-jae; Jeong, Won Gi; Kim, Yun-Hyeon
• Is Part Of: Journal of international medical research. Volume 48:Issue 12(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Fusarium -- Aspergillus -- fungal pneumonia -- immunocompetence -- lung -- thorax -- computed tomography; Medicine -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1177/0300060520976475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-0605

Abstract

Fusarium is a large genus of filamentous fungi that are rarely associated with disease in humans. In the clinical setting, Fusarium species are often difficult to distinguish from other fungal organisms, particularly Aspergillus species. Invasive fungal pneumonia caused by Fusarium species has rarely been reported, especially in immunocompetent patients. In this study, we reported a case of invasive Fusarium pneumonia in a previously healthy 68-year-old woman. The disease was initially misdiagnosed as invasive Aspergillus pneumonia because of the similarity in radiologic and histopathologic findings between these conditions. After Fusarium was identified via microbiological analysis, the antifungal agent was changed, and the patient recovered fully.