Invasive fusariosis in a critically ill patient with severe COVID-19 pneumonia: A case report

Abstract

Invasive fungal infections as aspergillosis and candidiasis are well-documented complications in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19. However, invasive infections by other molds are rarely reported. We describe a case of invasive fusariosis in a patient with severe COVID-19 with a fatal outcome.

Keywords: COVID-19; Fusarium verticillioides; Invasive fusariosis.

Fig. 1

Computed tomography chest on day 1 showing multiple areas of consolidation of the lung parenchyma with a predominance of the lower lobes and ground glass opacities that predominate in both upper lobes with thickening of the alveolar septa.

Fig. 2

Strain culture of Fusarium verticillioides isolates from bloodstream. (A) Macroscopic: rapid growth colonies, with abundant aerial mycelium, that are initially white and become pigmented over time on potato dextrose agar incubated 7 days at 28 °C. (B) and (C) Microscopic (lactophenol cotton blue slide mounts at 10× and 40× magnification, respectively): hyaline septate hyphae, and branched conidiophore with monophialide (B). Microconidia in chain and clusters, are oval to club-shaped (B). Few falcate macroconidia (C). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)

Fig. 3

Computed tomography chest on day 69 showing bilateral pleural effusion and increased airspace density with consolidative air bronchogram at the level of both lower lobes. Ground glass subpleural areas persist.