amphotericin-b and Purpura--Thrombotic-Thrombocytopenic

Systemic infection with Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic disease that affects mainly immunocompromised hosts and is associated with a high mortality rate. We report a case of A. fumigatus endocarditis after an episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Diagnosis was established after sudden rupture of posterior papillary muscle of the normal native mitral valve. Soon after mitral valve replacement, Aspergillus endocarditis recurred, associated with multiple peripheral emboli, which necessitated a second operation.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Anti-Infective Agents; Aspergillosis; Aspergillus fumigatus; Candidiasis; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Embolism; Endocarditis; Fatal Outcome; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Immunosuppressive Agents; Itraconazole; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Middle Aged; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Opportunistic Infections; Papillary Muscles; Postoperative Complications; Prednisolone; Pseudomonas Infections; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Recurrence; Rupture, Spontaneous; Shock, Septic; Sputum; Ultrasonography; Urinary Tract Infections

This case report adds pharmacokinetic knowledge regarding amphotericin B. Amphotericin B is highly protein bound. Plasma exchange removes 50-75% of a substance in plasma within 1-2 h, corresponding to an elimination half-life of 30-40 min. Amphotericin B reduction ratio by plasma exchange was 40% in this patient who had both liver and renal failure.

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Half-Life; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Liver Failure; Male; Plasma Exchange; Protein Binding; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Renal Dialysis; Renal Insufficiency

A Cryptococcus neoformans strain from cutaneous lesions of a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura was tested for in vitro susceptibility against seven conventional antifungal agents. The strain was susceptible to fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and miconazole but was resistant to 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC). Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained against amphotericin B and terbinafine were 1 and 4 microg ml(-1), respectively. The isolate belonged to serotype D. Few human cases of cryptococcosis have been reported over the last 50 years in Turkey. This is the first C. neoformans isolate in Turkey shown to have primary resistance to 5-FC. Primary resistance to flucytosine is rarely reported in C. neoformans and may be associated with treatment failure in some cases.

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Cryptococcosis; Cryptococcus neoformans; Dermatomycoses; Drug Resistance, Fungal; Flucytosine; Humans; Male; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic; Skin