Cryptic Mucor infection leading to massive cerebral infarction at initiation of antileukemic chemotherapy

Ann Hematol. 1999 May;78(5):241-5. doi: 10.1007/s002770050509.

Abstract

A 74-year-old man with newly diagnosed acute myelogenous leukemia unexpectedly suffered a massive cerebral infarct on day 2 of induction chemotherapy. Clinically, the hemorrhagic infarct was thought to be due to leukostasis and thrombocytopenia. Necropsy, however, revealed that Zygomycetes-type hyphae had infiltrated cerebral vessels in and near the infarct. The fungal infection was clinically silent otherwise, although fungal elements were also identified in the lung at autopsy. This case illustrates how closely fungal infection may resemble a leukemia-associated cerebrovascular accident.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Central Nervous System / microbiology
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology*
  • Cerebral Infarction / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Male
  • Mucormycosis / complications*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents