Abstract
The first known case ofBlastoschizomyces capitatus meningitis occurring in an allogeneic bone marrow recipient on steroid and cyclosporine therapy for chronic graft-versus-host disease is reported. An 11-month course of treatment with oral fluconazole resulted in resolution of the meningeal syndrome and eradication ofBlastoschizomyces capitatus from the cerebrospinal fluid. Three months after discontinuation of fluconazole the patient died due to idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and bilateral pneumothorax, without clinical signs of meningitis. Post mortem examination showed meningeal fungus invasion consistent withBlastoschizomyces capitatus infection. Oral fluconazole treatment thus did not eradicate the fungal infection, but achieved significant control of the meningitis on an outpatient basis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Salkin IF, Gordon MA, Samsonoff WA, Riedel CL Blastoschizomyces capitatus, a new combination. Mycotaxon 1985, 22: 375–380.
Martino P, Venditti M, Micozzi A, Morace G, Polonelli L, Pettoello Mantovani M, Petti MC, Burgio VL, Santini C, Serra P, Mandelli F Blastoschizomyces capitatus: an emerging cause of invasive fungal disease in leukemia patients. Reviews of Infectious Diseases 1990, 12: 570–582.
Venditti M, Posteraro B, Morace G, Martino P In vitro comparative activity of fluconazole and other antifungal agents againstBlastoschizomyces capitatus. Journal of Chemotherapy 1991, 3: 13–15.
Surmont I, Vergauwen B, Marcelis L, Verbist L, Verhoef G, Boogaerts M First report of chronic meningitis caused byTrichosporon beigelii. European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases 1990, 9: 226–229.
Arndt CAS, Walsh TJ, McCully CL, Balis FM, Pizzo PA, Poplack DG Fluconazole penetration into cerebrospinal fluid: implications for treating fungal infections of the central nervous system. Journal of Infectious Diseases 1988, 157: 178–180.
Sugar AM, Saunders C Oral fluconazole suppressive therapy of disseminated cryptococcosis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. American Journal of Medicine 1988, 85: 481–489.
Maksymiuk AW, Thongprasert S, Hopfer R, Luna M, Fainstein V, Bodey GP Systemic candidiasis in cancer patients. American Journal of Medicine 1984, 77, Supplement 4D: 20–27.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Girmenia, C., Micozzi, A., Venditti, M. et al. Fluconazole treatment ofBlastoschizomyces capitatus meningitis in an allogeneic bone marrow recipient. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 10, 752–756 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972503
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972503