Disseminated fusariosis

Abstract

A 7-year-old boy with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia developed disseminated hyalohyphomycosis due to Fusarium solani. The clinical features included fever, severe myalgia, documented fungemia with F. solani, an ecthyma gangrenosum-like lesion next to a peripheral venous catheter, and disseminated pustules. Severe neutropenia due to chemotherapy was the most relevant risk factor. Histopathologic study of the ecthyma gangrenosum-like lesion, as well as pustular lesions, revealed epidermal necrosis and an inflammatory infiltrate in the upper dermis, with numerous septate hyphae demonstrated by periodic acid-Schiff stain. Clinical resolution was achieved with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and amphotericin B administration. Our case suggests that the peripheral venous access was probably the portal of entry of the fungus.