Rhizopus arrhizus in Italy as the causative agent of primary cerebral zygomycosis in a drug addict

A rare case of primary cerebral zygomycosis in an Italian drug addict is described. The diagnosis was based on the histologic detection of broad, aseptate, hyaline mycelium in fluid aspirated from a brain mass detected by computerized axial tomography. The zygomycete isolated from the clinical speci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEuropean journal of epidemiology Vol. 4; no. 3; p. 284
Main Authors Oliveri, S, Cammarata, E, Augello, G, Mancuso, P, Tropea, R, Ajello, L, Padhye, A A
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands 01.09.1988
Subjects
Adult
Amphotericin B - therapeutic use
Brain Diseases - drug therapy
Brain Diseases - microbiology
Humans
Italy
Male
Mucormycosis - drug therapy
Mucormycosis - microbiology
Rhizopus - isolation & purification
Substance-Related Disorders - complications
Italy
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Summary:A rare case of primary cerebral zygomycosis in an Italian drug addict is described. The diagnosis was based on the histologic detection of broad, aseptate, hyaline mycelium in fluid aspirated from a brain mass detected by computerized axial tomography. The zygomycete isolated from the clinical specimen was identified as Rhizopus arrhizus var arrhizus. The patient had no known predisposing condition that would have suppressed his immunological defenses. Once the diagnosis was established, treatment with amphotericin B was initiated, but the patient died during the first day of treatment.
ISSN:0393-2990
DOI:10.1007/BF00148911