Morocco as a possible source for acquisition of Rhinocladiella mackenziei

Abstract

Rhinocladiella mackenziei cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is a rare severe disease that has been typically described in the Middle East. Here, we report 2 cases of R. mackenziei cerebral phaeohyphomycosis in patients from Morocco, diagnosed and treated in France, and raise a concern about the ever-going extension of the area at risk for this devastating invasive fungal infection.

Fig 1. Geographical distribution of Rhinocladiella mackenziei cerebral phaeohyphomycosis (N = 36).

In black, countries with confirmed cases. In dark gray, countries with possible contamination. In light gray, countries where diagnoses were made but unlikely to be at risk for contamination (probable imported cases). If several countries were possibly incriminated, priority was given to the country with other confirmed cases if present; else, every country was considered as “possible contamination.” Articles used in this figure are reported in S1 Table. Map template can be found at https://www.freeworldmaps.net/powerpoint/.