Cutaneous abscess by Trichosporon asahii developing on a steroid injection site in a healthy adult

Trichosporon asahii causing subcutaneous mycoses in an immunocompetent patient: case report and a minireview

Trichosporon spp. are a constituent of the normal flora of humans that can cause both superficial and invasive infections, mainly in immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts, respectively. Herein, we a report of Trichosporon asahii causing subcutaneous fungal infection (SFI) in an immunocompetent patient after carpal tunnel surgery. Although susceptible to fluconazole, the treatment of SFI failed even using high doses of this azole. The skin lesion improved following the administration of voriconazole. We conducted a literature minireview searching reports on SFI in immunocompetent patients to check for epidemiological, diagnostic, therapeutic, and outcome characteristics. A total of 32 cases were reported. Despite being uncommon, the clinical suspicion and early diagnosis of SFI in immunocompetent patients undergoing previous surgery are important. Our study indicated that the azoles are the most active antifungal agents against Trichosporon spp., except for fluconazole, and voriconazole can be considered the first therapeutic option.

Trichosporonosis Presenting as an Exophytic Cutaneous Mass Lesion

Opportunistic fungal pathogens have increased in frequency with the growing immunosuppressed population. New and emerging pathogens, including the rare yeasts, continue to cause significant morbidity and mortality and frequently develop despite prophylaxis with antifungal agents. We report a previously unreported manifestation of disseminated trichosporonosis. Our patient with underlying acute myeloid leukemia presented with as an exophytic toe lesion found secondary to Trichosporon asahii. We highlight the need for a high index of suspicion to diagnose breakthrough infections and the need for aggressive treatment.

Trichosporon asahii causing nosocomial urinary tract infections in intensive care unit patients: genotypes, virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility testing

Trichosporon asahii is the causative agent of both superficial and deep-seated infections of increasing morbidity and mortality. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to T. asahii, frequently associated with indwelling medical devices, have been reported over the years. However, few studies have specifically focused on the genotypic diversity of T. asahii isolates from urine specimens from intensive care units (ICUs), let alone potential virulence factors and antifungal susceptibility testing. In the present study, 23 T. asahii isolates were collected from UTI patients in ICUs between January 2008 and January 2012. Three genotypes (I, III, IV) were determined based on the combination of internal transcribed spacer and intergenic spacer locus PCR. Protease, phospholipase and haemolysin production was assessed by halo formation on corresponding agar plates. Only haemolytic activity was observed to varying degrees. Neither protease nor phospholipase was detectable. Biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces was detected through a formazan salt reduction assay. All clinical isolates had the ability to form biofilm. In contrast to the susceptibility of planktonic T. asahii cells to clinically used amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine, fluconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole, a remarkable rise in the MICs of these for biofilm T. asahii cells was observed. Our results suggested that genotype IV was the most prevalent genotype among T. asahii isolates from ICUs in China. Haemolysin and biofilm might contribute to the pathogenicity and recurrence of T. asahii-related UTIs. Although triazoles, especially voriconazole, were effective against planktonic T. asahii cells, they failed to treat preformed biofilms.

Hematogenous infection of total hip arthroplasty with Actinomyces following a noninvasive dental procedure

This article describes a case of an infected total hip arthroplasty following a dental procedure. A 59-year-old man underwent total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis and had a routine recovery. Approximately 9 months postoperatively, he underwent a dental cleaning without antibiotic prophylaxis. One month later, he reported gradually worsening right hip pain and a purulent discharge. After several unsuccessful interventions, the patient was referred to the authors' facility. The patient's history, draining sinus tract, and radiographic changes were considered diagnostic of a late chronic infection, and the patient underwent 2-stage revision. Intraoperatively, the sinus tract extended directly to the acetabular component. Actinomyces spp were isolated from 3 of 7 intraoperative anaerobic cultures, and the patient received penicillin G for 8 weeks. Two weeks after discontinuing antibiotics, with no clinical manifestation of recurrent infection and a negative hip aspiration, a new hip prosthesis was implanted. The patient was prescribed penicillin for 12 months postoperatively. Harris Hip Score was 100 at 52-month follow-up. The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons issued consensus guidelines for chemoprophylaxis in orthopedic patients undergoing dental procedures in 1997 and 2003. Although the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons issued a revised guideline in 2009 recommending more robust antibiotic prophylaxis, significant controversy exists because at least one professional organization representing dentists has repudiated the 2009 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons guideline. The authors describe the implications from their experience and similar cases in the literature with regard to such guidelines.

Intratendinous septic abscess of the Achilles tendon after local steroid injection

In the treatment of pathological processes of the skeletal system, local injection of corticosteroid has become a common form of treatment. Although rare, pyogenic abscess can develop secondary to local corticosteroid injection. In this article, we describe the case of a patient who presented with pain, swelling, and hyperemia following local infiltration of corticosteroid about the Achilles tendon. Magnetic resonance image scanning of the Achilles tendon revealed a smoothly shaped intratendinous mass 3 x 1 cm in diameter, extending to the posterosuperior aspect of the calcaneus. A needle aspiration of the suspected abscess revealed S aureus, and subsequent surgical drainage and debridement revealed chronic inflammation secondary to infection at the site of previous local corticosteroid injection. Antibiotic therapy was used following incision and drainage, and recurrence of infection was not detected throughout the duration of follow-up.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

4.

Postoperative Trichosporon asahii spondylodiscitis after open lumbar discectomy: a case report

STUDY DESIGN

A case report of Trichosporon asahii spondylodiscitis.

OBJECTIVE

To report the first case of T. asahii spondylodiscitis that developed in a healthy woman at the site of an open lumbar discectomy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Trichosporon is a genus of basidiomycetous yeasts that is common in nature and a member of the normal flora of the mouth, skin, and nails. It causes deep infections and fungemia mainly in immunocompromised patients or patients with underlying hematologic malignancies. To our knowledge, there is no reported case of bone and joint infections caused by T. asahii.

METHODS

A 42-year-old female gynecologist was transferred to our hospital with a chief complaint of severe lower back pain after an open L4-L5 discectomy. The infection indexes showed an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the C-reactive protein. Despite bed rest and antibiotic therapy, the lower back pain and tingling sensation on both lower extremities continued to worsen. The magnetic resonance imaging showed an abscess-like fluid collection compressing the thecal sac and showed a signal change in the bone marrow of the L4 and L5 vertebral bodies, suggesting spondylodiscitis. Laminectomy, curettage, and debridement of the infected discs were performed. Cultures of the abscess yielded yeasts that were sensitive to fluconazole. The yeast was identified as T. asahii.

RESULTS

She received fluconazole therapy for 5 months, and returned to her work after the fourth postoperative month. She has remained in a satisfactory condition since.

CONCLUSION

We present the first case of T. asahii spondylodiscitis, which developed unexpectedly in a healthy woman at the site of an open lumbar discectomy. We successfully treated the patient with surgical debridement and 5 months of fluconazole therapy.