amphotericin-b and Toxoplasmosis--Cerebral

The simultaneous occurrence of cerebral toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis is rare. The infections continue to be treated with sulfadiazine and amphotericin-B-based regimens (preferred therapy), respectively. Both these drugs are linked to some serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We report such a unique instance of both; the CNS co-infections and adverse drug reactions to the preferred therapy.. A 44-year-old Asian-Indian female was diagnosed with cerebral toxoplasmosis, impending cryptococcal meningoencephalitis, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The preferred therapy of opportunistic CNS co-infections commenced. Within a week, she had an occurrence of fall in hemoglobin concentrations (11.3 g/dL to 5.6 g/dL; grade IV), reticulocytosis (1% to 3.2%), and indirect hyperbilirubinemia (0.5 mg/dL to 2.8 mg/dL; grade IV) after sulfadiazine administration. The drug was discontinued and the patient was treated with hematocrit transfusions. After amphotericin-B deoxycholate (AmBd) administration, the patient developed hypokalemia (serum potassium; 4.5 mmol/L to 2.7 mmol/L) and increased serum creatinine (1.0 to 2.2 mg/dL; stage-I) levels. Hence, AmBd was discontinued and potassium correction was given. The patient got diagnosed with sulfadiazine induced hemolytic anemia and AmBd induced acute renal failure. He was switched to alternative therapy regimens for the treatment of cerebral toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis. Radiological investigations were followed up to confirm the clinical outcomes of alternative therapy. Complete recovery from the ADRs and opportunistic infections was observed.. The preferred therapy regimens for toxoplasmosis and cryptococcosis are accompanied by potential adverse drug reactions, thus continuous monitoring is vital, especially in the initial phases of therapy. Discontinuation of the treatment should be the preliminary intervention in the management. Having said that, alternative therapy regimens had an optimal clinical response in the present case.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Coinfection; Cryptococcosis; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Humans; Male; Potassium; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral

Fonsecaea spp. are melanized fungi which cause most cases of chromoblastomycosis. The taxonomy of this genus has been revised, now encompassing four species, with different pathogenic potential: F. pedrosoi, F. nubica, F. pugnacius, and F. monophora. The latter two species present wider clinical spectrum and have been associated with cases of visceral infection, most often affecting the brain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of proven case of F. monophora respiratory tract infection. A Brazilian 57-year-old-female patient underwent kidney transplantation on January 12, 2013. On the fourth postoperative month, the patient presented with fever, productive cough, and pleuritic pain in the right hemithorax. A thoracic CT scan showed a subpleural 2.2-cm nodular lesion in the right lung lower lobe, with other smaller nodules (0.5-0.7 cm) scattered in both lungs. Bronchoscopy revealed a grayish plaque on the right bronchus which was biopsied. Microscopic examination demonstrated invasion of bronchial mucosa by pigmented hyphae. Culture from the bronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage samples yielded a melanized mold, which was eventually identified as F. monophora. She started treatment with voriconazole (400 mg q.12h on the first day, followed by 200 mg q.12h). After 4 weeks of therapy, voriconazole dose was escalated to 200 mg q.8h and associated with amphotericin B (deoxycolate 1 mg/kg/day) because of a suspected dissemination to the brain. The patient eventually died of sepsis 8 weeks after the start of antifungal therapy. In conclusion, F. monophora may cause respiratory tract infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

Topics: Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Ascomycota; Brazil; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer; Female; Humans; Kidney Transplantation; Lung Diseases, Fungal; Middle Aged; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral; Voriconazole

Opportunistic infections cause a significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. We describe the case of a patient with skin fusariosis and a probable cerebral toxoplasmosis after UCB stem cell transplantation for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Fusarium species (spp) infections are difficult to treat. To date, there has been no consensus on the treatment of fusariosis and the management of its side effects. Given the negative pretransplant Toxoplasma serology in this case, identifying the origin of the Toxoplasma infection was challenging. All usual transmission routes were screened for and ruled out. The patient's positive outcome was not consistent with that of the literature reporting 60% mortality due to each infection.

Topics: Adolescent; Amphotericin B; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; Dermatomycoses; Diagnosis, Differential; Drug Therapy, Combination; Febrile Neutropenia; Female; Fusariosis; Gibberella; Humans; Mycophenolic Acid; Opportunistic Infections; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Pyrimethamine; Retreatment; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral

Topics: Adult; Amphotericin B; Anti-HIV Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis; Drug Resistance, Viral; HIV; HIV Infections; Honduras; Humans; Leishmania infantum; Leishmaniasis, Visceral; Male; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral

A male patient with HIV and past history of tuberculosis and suspected neurotoxoplasmosis was admitted to the hospital with vomiting and small nodules through all his body. Few of the nodules were found forming chains of enlarged lymphatic vessels, especially on lesions located on the limbs. Some of the nodules were ulcerated with a serosanguineous discharge. Collected samples from ulcerated and the nodular lesions showed the presence of Sporothrix schenckii in culture. Although all hemocultures were negative, a spinal fluid collected from this patient and cultures from the cutaneous lesions were both positive for S. schenckii. The patient showed improvement after treatment with Amphotericin B. Sadly, he later died of complications not related to the S. schenckii infection. This case of disseminated sporotrichosis is a remainder that in patients with immunological disorders exotic forms of this fungal clinical entity could be expected.

Topics: Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Amphotericin B; Antifungal Agents; Candidiasis, Oral; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Diagnosis, Differential; Fatal Outcome; Humans; Male; Meningitis, Fungal; Skin; Sporotrichosis; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral

As medical interventions prolong the lives of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), we have begun to observe multiple infections occurring simultaneously in a single patient. This report describes two central nervous system (CNS) infections, cryptococcal meningitis and cerebral toxoplasmosis, coexisting in a patient with AIDS. Although the treatment strategies for these CNS infections are generally established, often the physician must make management decisions based on clinical and statistical data and patient response to empiric trials of therapy rather than on the results of invasive diagnostic tests.

Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Amphotericin B; Humans; Male; Meningitis, Cryptococcal; Pyrimethamine; Sulfadiazine; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral