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Volume 11, Number 2—February 2005
Letter

Mycotic Brain Abscess Caused by Opportunistic Reptile Pathogen

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Thumbnail of Chrysosporium sp. brain abscess in an HIV-seropositive patient. A) T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain showing 2 large masses (triangle) surrounded by a ring of signal intensity and extensive perifocal edema (open arrows), global swelling of the right hemisphere, and a midline shift of 1.2 cm. B) Computed tomographic scan of the chest showing infiltration of the left and right lower segment. C) Mold mycelium in aspirate of brain abscess using calcoflour wh

Figure. Chrysosporium sp. brain abscess in an HIV-seropositive patient. A) T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain showing 2 large masses (triangle) surrounded by a ring of signal intensity and...

To the Editor: A 38-year-old, HIV-seropositive Nigerian man sought treatment with an 8-month history of severe parietal headache, impaired memory, fatigue, paresthesia of the left arm, and left-sided focal seizures. He had no history of neurologic disorders, including epilepsy. On physical examination, the patient appeared well, alert, and oriented, with slurred speech. Evaluation of the visual fields showed left homonymous hemianopsia. All other neurologic assessments were unremarkable. The patient had a blood pressure of 120/80, a pulse of 88 bpm, and a body temperature of 37.3°C. Leukocyte count was 8,600/μL, total lymphocyte count was 1,981/μL, CD4+ cell count was 102/μL, and CD4/CD8 ratio was 0.07. HIV RNA-load was <50 copies/mL; all other laboratory parameters were normal. The patient had received antiretroviral therapy (stavudine, lamivudine, nevirapine) for 5 months before admission, but no prophylaxis for opportunistic infections. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain disclosed 2 masses, 3.3 and 4.8 cm in diameter, respectively (Figure A), and signs of chronic sinusitis. A computed tomographic chest scan showed infiltration of both lower segments with multiple, small nodules (Figure B). Blood cultures were repeatedly negative. A computer-guided needle-aspiration of the brain lesions yielded yellow-brown, creamy fluid in which abundant septated fungal hyphae were detected microscopically (Figure C). Cytologic investigation was consistent with a necrotic abscess. The cycloheximide-resistant isolate was strongly keratinolytic and identified as a Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (1,2). High-dose antimicrobial treatment with voriconazole (200 mg twice daily, subsequently reduced to 200 mg daily) was added to the antiretroviral (ritonavir, amprenavir, trizivir), anticonvulsive, and adjuvant corticosteroid treatment. The isolate was highly susceptible to voriconazole in vitro (MIC, <16μg/mL [Etest, AB-Biodisk Solna, Sweden]). Recovery was complicated by a generalized seizure and severe, acute psychosis associated with rapid refilling of the 2 lesions with mycotic abscess fluid. After re-aspiration, the patient’s psychosis improved gradually, and no further seizures occurred. When last seen 4 months later, the patient was healthy and without neurologic deficits. His CD4+ cell count was 233/μL, HIV-load was <50 copies/mL, and a MRI scan of the brain showed partial regression of the 2 brain lesions (Figure D).

Chrysosporium spp. are common soil saprobes, occasionally isolated from human skin. Invasive infection is very rare in humans, and most were observed in immunocompromised patients, manifesting as osteomyelitis (3,4) or diffuse vascular brain invasion (5). Here, we report the first case of brain abscesses by the Chrysosporium anamorph of N. vriesii. This fungus has been associated with fatal mycosis in reptiles (6,7) and cutaneous mycosis in chameleons originating from Africa (2).

In our patient, we were unable to determine the portal of entry and the sequence of fungal dissemination; no skin lesions were present at the time of admission. However, the multifocal nature, lung infiltration, and involvement of the middle cerebral artery distribution suggest hematogenous dissemination (8,9) after replication of airborne conidia within the respiratory tract.

Fungi cause >90% of brain abscesses in immunocompromised transplant patients with an associated mortality rate of 97% (10), despite aggressive surgery and antifungal therapy (9). Our patient was treated successfully with abscess drainage, antiretroviral therapy, and oral voriconazole, a novel antifungal triazole drug. Despite limited data available on voriconazole penetration into brain abscess cavities (9), this drug was clinically and radiologically effective in our patient.

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Acknowledgment

We thank the patient for cooperating with our investigation, Pfizer Germany for providing voriconazole, and Heidemarie Losert and Elisabeth Antweiler for their excellent technical assistance.

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Christoph Steininger*Comments to Author , Jan van Lunzen*, Kathrin Tintelnot†, Ingo Sobottka*, Holger Rohde*, Matthias Ansver Horstkotte*, and Hans-Jürgen Stellbrink*
Author affiliations: *University Clinic Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; †Robert Koch-Institut, Mykologie, Berlin, Germany

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References

  1. Van Oorschot  CAN. A revision of Chrysosporium and allied genera. Stud Mycol. 1980; 189.
  2. Pare  JA, Sigler  L, Hunter  DB, Summerbell  RC, Smith  DA, Machin  KL. Cutaneous mycoses in chameleons caused by the Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii (Apinis) Currah. J Zoo Wildl Med. 1997;28:44353.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  3. Stillwell  WT, Rubin  BD, Axelrod  JL. Chrysosporium, a new causative agent in osteomyelitis. A case report. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1984;1902.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  4. Roilides  E, Sigler  L, Bibashi  E, Katsifa  H, Flaris  N, Panteliadis  C. Disseminated infection due to Chrysosporium zonatum in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease and review of non-aspergillus fungal infections in patients with this disease. J Clin Microbiol. 1999;37:1825.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  5. Warwick  A, Ferrieri  P, Burke  B, Blazar  BR. Presumptive invasive Chrysosporium infection in a bone marrow transplant recipient. Bone Marrow Transplant. 1991;8:31922.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  6. Nichols  DK, Weyant  RS, Lamirande  EW, Sigler  L, Mason  RT. Fatal mycotic dermatitis in captive brown tree snakes (Boiga irregularis). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1999;30:1118.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  7. Thomas  AD, Sigler  L, Peucker  S, Norton  JH, Nielan  A. Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vriesii associated with fatal cutaneous mycoses in the salt-water crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Med Mycol. 2002;40:14351.PubMedGoogle Scholar
  8. Calfee  DP, Wispelwey  B. Brain abscess. Semin Neurol. 2000;20:35360. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  9. Mathisen  GE, Johnson  JP. Brain abscess. Clin Infect Dis. 1997;25:76379. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. Hagensee  ME, Bauwens  JE, Kjos  B, Bowden  RA. Brain abscess following marrow transplantation: experience at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1984–1992. Clin Infect Dis. 1994;19:4028. DOIPubMedGoogle Scholar

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Cite This Article

DOI: 10.3201/eid1102.040915

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Please use the form below to submit correspondence to the authors or contact them at the following address:

Christoph Steininger, University Clinic Eppendorf, Department of Medicine I, Infectious Diseases Unit, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany; fax: 49-40-42803-6832

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Page created: April 28, 2011
Page updated: April 28, 2011
Page reviewed: April 28, 2011
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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