Invasive gastrointestinal zygomycosis in a liver transplant recipient: case report

Transplantation. 2002 Jan 15;73(1):145-7. doi: 10.1097/00007890-200201150-00027.

Abstract

Background: Gastric zygomycosis is a rare but potentially lethal complication in transplant patients. Forty-two cases of gastric mucormycosis have been described in the literature, with a mortality of 98%.

Methods: We report of a case of gastric mucormycosis in a 45-year-old male undergoing liver transplantation for alcohol-induced cirrhosis. The diagnosis was made 20 days after transplantation in a biopsy of a bleeding gastric ulcer identified during a reoperation for a common bile duct stricture.

Results: After the surgical procedure and therapy with amphotericin B, the patient made a good recovery and is alive and well 2 years after transplantation.

Conclusions: Gastric mucormycosis should be suspected in those patients in whom gastrointestinal symptoms such a pain or bleeding are present. Because the diagnosis is dependent on histology, the importance of biopsy cannot be underestimated. Once diagnosed, a successful outcome depends on effective treatment with amphotericin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / drug therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / surgery
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / microbiology*
  • Reoperation
  • Stomach Ulcer / microbiology
  • Stomach Ulcer / pathology
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Zygomycosis / diagnosis*
  • Zygomycosis / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B