[Cunninghamella bertholletiae-infective endocarditis complicated by tricuspid valve giant vegetation in a patient with aplastic anemia]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 2022;63(7):740-745. doi: 10.11406/rinketsu.63.740.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 62-year-old female was presented to the hospital of the current study for pancytopenia and was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia. She was treated with a combination therapy of antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine A, and eltrombopag. The patient also presented with febrile neutropenia after commencement of the treatment and did not respond to the various antibiotics and antifungal agents. Echocardiography showed a giant vegetation attached to the tricuspid valve on Day 78 of the immunosuppressive therapy, and the tricuspid valve replacement was performed. The vegetation was formed by Cunninghamella bertholletiae, a mucor type, and was treated with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB), which was terminated after six weeks due to decreased renal function. In addition, mucormycosis was controlled by posttreatment with posaconazole (PSCZ). This is a rare case of mucormycosis that developed into a giant vegetation during the immunosuppressive therapy for aplastic anemia. It was believed to be a valuable case to consider in future mucormycosis treatment, including the success of the treatment by switching from L-AMB to PSCZ.

Keywords: Aplastic anemia; Cunninghamella bertholletiae; Endocarditis; Posaconazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Aplastic* / complications
  • Cunninghamella
  • Endocarditis* / complications
  • Endocarditis* / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis* / complications
  • Mucormycosis* / drug therapy
  • Tricuspid Valve

Supplementary concepts

  • Cunninghamella bertholletiae