Disseminated petriellidiosis (allescheriasis) in a patient with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Abstract

A case of disseminated petriellidiosis is presented. This complication occurred in a patient with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, who was receiving repeated courses of cytotoxic drugs, antibiotics and prolonged corticosteroid therapy. The diagnosis of infection by Petriellidium boydii was established by pathological and microbiological studies of a specimen obtained at open lung biopsy. The portal of entry was probably through the lung spreading later via the blood stream to the brain, thyroid and kidneys. The present case once again emphasises the importance of specific microbiological identification in definitive diagnosis. To our knowledge, only three cases of disseminated petriellidiosis have been reported and this case appears to be the first case with renal involvement.