Voriconazole‐Associated Periostitis: New Insights into Pathophysiology and Management

Voriconazole-induced periostitis in the hand

Voriconazole, a triazole antifungal, has proven effective against invasive fungal infections, and is often selected due to its enhanced antifungal spectrum coverage. Despite its general tolerability, voriconazole usage is associated with drug-induced periostitis, which presents with diffuse bone pain. This case report details a 65-year-old male on chronic immunosuppressive and antimicrobial therapy following heart transplant who developed hand pain. Identification of periostitis on hand radiographs and an acute elevation of alkaline phosphatase on subsequent blood analysis prompted discontinuation of voriconazole, resulting in a symptomatic and laboratory improvement. This case underscores the importance of leveraging a thorough understanding of imaging features, clinical manifestations, and laboratory data to aid in the diagnosis of voriconazole-induced periostitis.

Associations of cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and alkaline phosphatase with voriconazole-induced periostitis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the associations of cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and alkaline phosphatase with voriconazole-induced periostitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and thirty-one patients with voriconazole use were identified using a clinical informatics tool. Health record data including age, sex, immune status, alkaline phosphatase, voriconazole levels, voriconazole dose, frequency, and treatment duration were collected. Imaging studies during the duration of treatment were reviewed by two radiology trainees and imaging features of voriconazole-induced periostitis were confirmed by a board-certified musculoskeletal radiologist. The length, location in the body, location in the bone, type, and morphology of periostitis lesions were recorded. Incident voriconazole-induced periostitis was defined as new periostitis on imaging after 28 days or more of voriconazole treatment in the absence of an alternative diagnosis. Univariate Firth's logistic regression models were performed using cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and average ALP as predictors and incident VIP as the outcome.

RESULTS

There were nine patients with voriconazole-induced periostitis and 122 patients without voriconazole-induced periostitis. The most common lesion location in the body was the ribs (37%) and morphology was solid (44%). A 31.5-g increase in cumulative voriconazole dose was associated with 8% higher odds of incident periostitis. Increased treatment duration (63 days) and higher average alkaline phosphatase (50 IU/L) were associated with 7% higher odds of periostitis and 34% higher odds of periostitis, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Increased cumulative voriconazole dose, treatment duration, and average alkaline phosphatase were associated with higher odds of voriconazole-induced periostitis.

Voriconazole-Induced Periostitis: A Mimicker of Skeletal Coccidioidomycosis

BACKGROUND Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii, which are endemic to the southwestern United States and other countries of the Western Hemisphere. Pulmonary coccidioidomycosis is the most common form of coccidioidomycosis. Rarely, coccidioidal infection disseminates to meninges, bones, skin, and soft tissues. While fluconazole remains the first line of treatment and is used for most patients, voriconazole is used in selected refractory cases of coccidioidomycosis. Voriconazole has more fluorine molecules than other azoles, and over time the fluorine molecules in voriconazole can cause disorganized bone formation in the periosteal region (periostitis), causing generalized bony pain, and radiographically can mimic skeletal coccidioidomycosis. While voriconazole-induced periostitis has been noted in aspergillosis and other infections, it has not been reported commonly in patients with coccidioidomycosis. CASE REPORT We present a case of a 50-year-old female patient with a diagnosis coccidioidal meningitis who was refractory to fluconazole and was treated with voriconazole. She presented with bony pain, which was initially radiographically attributed to multifocal skeletal coccidioidal infection. Reflecting upon the patient's history and serum levels of fluoride and bone alkaline phosphatase, a diagnosis of voriconazole-induced periostitis was made. Discontinuation of the voriconazole resulted in resolution of the periostitis. CONCLUSIONS Voriconazole-induced periostitis should be considered in patients with musculoskeletal pain with a history of voriconazole treatment or with laboratory abnormalities, such as elevated fluoride levels and/or bone alkaline phosphatase. Discontinuation of voriconazole reverses the condition promptly.

Pharmacological management of invasive mold infections in solid organ transplant recipients

INTRODUCTION

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients face an increased susceptibility to invasive fungal infection (IFI) due to filamentous fungi. Post-transplant invasive aspergillosis (IA) and mucormycosis are related to exceedingly high mortality rates and graft loss risk, and its management involve a unique range of clinical challenges.

AREAS COVERED

First, the current treatment recommendations for IA and mucormycosis among SOT recipients are critically reviewed, including the supporting evidence. Next, we discussed particular concerns in this patient population, such as drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between triazoles and post-transplant immunosuppression or treatment-related toxicity. The role for immunomodulatory and host-targeted therapies is also considered, as well as the theoretical impact of the intrinsic antifungal activity of calcineurin inhibitors. Finally, a personal opinion is made on future directions in the pharmacological approach to post-transplant IFI.

EXPERT OPINION

Despite relevant advances in the treatment of mold IFIs in the SOT setting, such as the incorporation of isavuconazole (with lower incidence of DDIs and better tolerability than voriconazole), there remains a large room for improvement in areas such as the position of combination therapy or the optimal strategy for the reduction of baseline immunosuppression. Importantly, future studies should define the specific contribution of newer antifungal agents and classes.

Voriconazole-induced periostitis in a patient with HIV treated for coccidioidomycosis meningitis

Voriconazole-induced periostitis is a rare adverse effect in patients on long-term therapy, characterised by periosteal inflammation and associated bony pain. The accompanying lab abnormalities (elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and fluoride) and characteristic imaging findings (uptake of radionuclide tracer on nuclear bone scan) are critical for diagnosis. The disease process is thought to be secondary to excess fluoride from voriconazole which stimulates bone formation and decreases osteoclast bone resorption. Management includes stopping voriconazole and switching to another agent.