Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Neoscytalidiumdimidiatum in a COVID-19 patient.

Authors :: Dolatabadi S
Nasirharandi S
Pourahmad M
Ahmadikia K
Mokhtari M
Najafzadeh MJ
Mohammadi R
Source :: Revista iberoamericana de micologia [Rev Iberoam Micol] 2022 Jul-Dec; Vol. 39 (3-4), pp. 72-76. Date of Electronic Publication: 2022 Nov 28.
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: Background: Neoscytalidiumdimidiatum is an opportunistic dematiaceous fungus belonging to the class Dothideomycetes.<br />Case Report: We report a case of N. dimidiatum cerebral phaeohyphomycosis post COVID-19 infection in a 32-year-old male from Iran. The causative agent was identified by cytopathology, routine mycological methods, and DNA sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA. Apart from COVID-19 complications and the corticosteroid therapy, no underlying condition was diagnosed. The symptoms suggesting the fungal infection were shown two weeks after being discharged from COVID-19 hospital stay. Magnetic resonance of the brain showed a multi-focal central nervous system infection. The delayed identification of the fungus and, thus, a late starting of the antifungal treatment with amphotericin B, might have affected the patient outcome as he finally died.<br />Conclusions: Considering the rare incidence of N. dimidiatum infections, this case should aware us about them, leading to a timely antifungal management.<br /> (Copyright © 2022. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.)