Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 3/2010

01-05-2010 | Case Report

Fatal mycotic aneurysm caused by Pseudallescheria boydii after near drowning

Authors: C. Ortmann, J. Wüllenweber, B. Brinkmann, T. Fracasso

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 3/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Pseudallescheria boydii is a rare cause of mycotic infection. Factors predisposing to systemic infection include traumas, immunosuppression, and near drowning. We report a case of multiple aneurysms caused by this hyalohyphomycete, occurred after near drowning. The car driven by a 53-year-old woman plunged into a canal in The Netherlands. After a 20-min-long submersion, the woman was rescued. At hospital, a severe aspiration of muddy water and a mycotic pneumonia were diagnosed. Despite the immediate prescription of a long-term antimycotic therapy and the initial good response, the patient died 4 months later. The autopsy showed a mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and multiple ruptured mycotic aneurysms of the circle of Willis with fatal subarachnoid bleeding.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Quan L, Zhu BL, Ishida K, Oritani S, Taniguchi M, Fujita MQ, Maeda H (2001) Intranuclear ubiquitin immunoreactivity of the pigmented neurons of the substantia nigra in fatal acute mechanical asphyxiation and drowning. Int J Legal Med 115:6–11CrossRefPubMed Quan L, Zhu BL, Ishida K, Oritani S, Taniguchi M, Fujita MQ, Maeda H (2001) Intranuclear ubiquitin immunoreactivity of the pigmented neurons of the substantia nigra in fatal acute mechanical asphyxiation and drowning. Int J Legal Med 115:6–11CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Nogami M, Takatsu A, Endo N, Ishyama I (1999) Immunohistochemical localisation of c-fos in the nuclei of the medulla oblongata in relation to asphyxia. Int J Legal Med 112:351–354CrossRefPubMed Nogami M, Takatsu A, Endo N, Ishyama I (1999) Immunohistochemical localisation of c-fos in the nuclei of the medulla oblongata in relation to asphyxia. Int J Legal Med 112:351–354CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Kreis R, Arcinue E, Ernst T, Shonk TK, Flores R, Ross BD (1996) Hypoxic encephalopathy after near-drowning studied by quantitative H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. J Clin Invest 97:1142–1154CrossRefPubMed Kreis R, Arcinue E, Ernst T, Shonk TK, Flores R, Ross BD (1996) Hypoxic encephalopathy after near-drowning studied by quantitative H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. J Clin Invest 97:1142–1154CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference Pfeiffer H, Du Chesne A, Brinkmann B (2006) An unusual case of homicidal near drowning followed by electrocution. Int J Legal Med 120:36–41CrossRefPubMed Pfeiffer H, Du Chesne A, Brinkmann B (2006) An unusual case of homicidal near drowning followed by electrocution. Int J Legal Med 120:36–41CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Wilichowski E, Christen HJ, Schiffmann H, Schulz-Schaeffer W, Behrens-Baumann W (1996) Fatal Pseudallescheria boydii panencephalitis in a child after near-drowning. Pediatr Infect Dis J 15:365–370CrossRefPubMed Wilichowski E, Christen HJ, Schiffmann H, Schulz-Schaeffer W, Behrens-Baumann W (1996) Fatal Pseudallescheria boydii panencephalitis in a child after near-drowning. Pediatr Infect Dis J 15:365–370CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Rippon JW (1988) Medical mycology. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 651–680 Rippon JW (1988) Medical mycology. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 651–680
7.
go back to reference Lopez FA, Crowley RS, Wastila L, Valantine HA, Remimngton JS (1998) Scedosporium apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) infection in a heart transplant recipient: a case of mistaken identity. J Heart Lung Transplant 17:321–324PubMed Lopez FA, Crowley RS, Wastila L, Valantine HA, Remimngton JS (1998) Scedosporium apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) infection in a heart transplant recipient: a case of mistaken identity. J Heart Lung Transplant 17:321–324PubMed
8.
go back to reference Sobottka I, Deneke J, Pothmann W, Heinemann A, Mack D (1999) Fatal native valve endocarditis due to Scedosporium apiospermum. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 18:387–389CrossRefPubMed Sobottka I, Deneke J, Pothmann W, Heinemann A, Mack D (1999) Fatal native valve endocarditis due to Scedosporium apiospermum. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 18:387–389CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Travis LB, Roberts GD, Wilson WR (1985) Clinical significance of Pseudallescheria boydii: a review of 10 years experience. Mayo Clin Proc 60:531–537PubMed Travis LB, Roberts GD, Wilson WR (1985) Clinical significance of Pseudallescheria boydii: a review of 10 years experience. Mayo Clin Proc 60:531–537PubMed
10.
go back to reference Fisher JF, Shadomy S, Teabeaut R, Woodwart J, Michaels GE, Newman MA, White E, Cook P, Seagraves A, Yaghmai F, Rissing JP (1982) Near-drowning complicated by brain abscess due to Petriellidium boydii. Arch Neurol 39:511–513PubMed Fisher JF, Shadomy S, Teabeaut R, Woodwart J, Michaels GE, Newman MA, White E, Cook P, Seagraves A, Yaghmai F, Rissing JP (1982) Near-drowning complicated by brain abscess due to Petriellidium boydii. Arch Neurol 39:511–513PubMed
11.
go back to reference Dworzack DL, Clark RB, Borkowski WJ Jr, Smith DL, Dykstra M, Pugsley MP, Horowitz EA, Connolly TL, McKinney DL, Hostetler MK, Fitzgibbons JF, Galant M (1989) Pseudallescheria boydii brain abscess: association with near-drowning and efficacy of high-dose, prolonged miconazole therapy in patients with multiple abscesses. Medicine 68:218–224CrossRefPubMed Dworzack DL, Clark RB, Borkowski WJ Jr, Smith DL, Dykstra M, Pugsley MP, Horowitz EA, Connolly TL, McKinney DL, Hostetler MK, Fitzgibbons JF, Galant M (1989) Pseudallescheria boydii brain abscess: association with near-drowning and efficacy of high-dose, prolonged miconazole therapy in patients with multiple abscesses. Medicine 68:218–224CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Rüchel R, Wilichowski E (1995) Cerebral Pseudallescheria mycosis after near-drowning. Mycoses 38:473–475CrossRefPubMed Rüchel R, Wilichowski E (1995) Cerebral Pseudallescheria mycosis after near-drowning. Mycoses 38:473–475CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Baudrillard JC, Rousseaus P, Lerais JM, Toubas O, Scherpereel B, Gari M, Comte P (1985) Anévrysmes mycotiques fongiques et abcès cérébraux multiples à Scedosporium apiospermum. J Radiol 66:321–326PubMed Baudrillard JC, Rousseaus P, Lerais JM, Toubas O, Scherpereel B, Gari M, Comte P (1985) Anévrysmes mycotiques fongiques et abcès cérébraux multiples à Scedosporium apiospermum. J Radiol 66:321–326PubMed
14.
go back to reference Messori A, Lanza C, De Nicola M, Menichelli F, Capriotti T, Morabito L, Salvolini U (2002) Mycotic aneurysm as lethal complication of brain pseudallescheriasis in a near-drowned child: a CT demonstration. Am J Neuroradiol 23:1697–1699PubMed Messori A, Lanza C, De Nicola M, Menichelli F, Capriotti T, Morabito L, Salvolini U (2002) Mycotic aneurysm as lethal complication of brain pseudallescheriasis in a near-drowned child: a CT demonstration. Am J Neuroradiol 23:1697–1699PubMed
15.
go back to reference Kershaw P, Freeman R, Templeton D, De Girolami PC, De Girolami U, Tarsay D, Hoffmann S, Eliopaulos G, Karchmer AW (1990) Pseudoascherichia boydii infection of the central nervous system. Arch Neurol 47:468–472PubMed Kershaw P, Freeman R, Templeton D, De Girolami PC, De Girolami U, Tarsay D, Hoffmann S, Eliopaulos G, Karchmer AW (1990) Pseudoascherichia boydii infection of the central nervous system. Arch Neurol 47:468–472PubMed
16.
go back to reference Galgiani NJ, Stevens DA, Graybill JR, Stevens DL, Tillinghast AJ, Levine HB (1984) Pseudoallescheria boydii infections treated with ketoconazole. Clinical evaluations of seven patients and in vitro susceptibility results. Chest 86:219–224CrossRefPubMed Galgiani NJ, Stevens DA, Graybill JR, Stevens DL, Tillinghast AJ, Levine HB (1984) Pseudoallescheria boydii infections treated with ketoconazole. Clinical evaluations of seven patients and in vitro susceptibility results. Chest 86:219–224CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Kwon-Chung KJ (1992) Pseudoallescheriasis and Scedosporium infections. In: Kwon-Chung KJ, Bennett JE (eds) Medical micology. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, pp 678–694 Kwon-Chung KJ (1992) Pseudoallescheriasis and Scedosporium infections. In: Kwon-Chung KJ, Bennett JE (eds) Medical micology. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, pp 678–694
18.
go back to reference Denning DW, Tucker RM, Hanson LH, Stevens DA (1989) Tretment of invasive aspergillosis with itraconazole. Am J Med 86:791–800CrossRefPubMed Denning DW, Tucker RM, Hanson LH, Stevens DA (1989) Tretment of invasive aspergillosis with itraconazole. Am J Med 86:791–800CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Harding TC, Graybill JR, Fetchick R, Woestenborghs R, Rinaldi MG, Kuhu JG (1988) Pharmacokinetics of itraconazole following oral admission to normal volunteers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 32:1310–1313 Harding TC, Graybill JR, Fetchick R, Woestenborghs R, Rinaldi MG, Kuhu JG (1988) Pharmacokinetics of itraconazole following oral admission to normal volunteers. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 32:1310–1313
20.
go back to reference Katragkou A, Dotis J, Kotsiou M, Tamiolaki M, Roilides E (2007) Scedosporium apiospermum infection after near-drowning. Mycoses 50:412–421CrossRefPubMed Katragkou A, Dotis J, Kotsiou M, Tamiolaki M, Roilides E (2007) Scedosporium apiospermum infection after near-drowning. Mycoses 50:412–421CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference Buzina W, Feierl G, Haas D, Reinthaler FF, Holl A, Kleinert R, Reichenpfader B, Roll P, Marth E (2006) Lethal brain abscess due to the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum (teleomorph Pseudallescheria boydii) after a near-drowning incident: case report and review of the literature. Med Mycol 44:473–477CrossRefPubMed Buzina W, Feierl G, Haas D, Reinthaler FF, Holl A, Kleinert R, Reichenpfader B, Roll P, Marth E (2006) Lethal brain abscess due to the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum (teleomorph Pseudallescheria boydii) after a near-drowning incident: case report and review of the literature. Med Mycol 44:473–477CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Chakraborty A, Workman MR, Bullock PR (2005) Scedosporium apiospermum brain abscess treated with surgery and voriconazole. Case report. J Neurosurg 103:83–87PubMed Chakraborty A, Workman MR, Bullock PR (2005) Scedosporium apiospermum brain abscess treated with surgery and voriconazole. Case report. J Neurosurg 103:83–87PubMed
23.
go back to reference Sundaram C, Umabala P, Laxmi V, Purohit AK, Prasad VSSV, Panigrahi M, Sahu BP, Sarathi MV, Kaul S, Borghain R, Meena AK, Jayalakshmi SS, Suvarna A, Mohandas S, Murthy JMK (2006) Pathology of fungal infections of the central nervous system: 17 years' experience from southern India. Histopathology 49:396–405CrossRefPubMed Sundaram C, Umabala P, Laxmi V, Purohit AK, Prasad VSSV, Panigrahi M, Sahu BP, Sarathi MV, Kaul S, Borghain R, Meena AK, Jayalakshmi SS, Suvarna A, Mohandas S, Murthy JMK (2006) Pathology of fungal infections of the central nervous system: 17 years' experience from southern India. Histopathology 49:396–405CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Kothary M, Chase T, MacMillan J (1984) Correlation of elastase production by some strains of Aspergillus fumigatus with ability to cause pulmonary invasive aspergillosis in mice. Infect Immun 43:320–325PubMed Kothary M, Chase T, MacMillan J (1984) Correlation of elastase production by some strains of Aspergillus fumigatus with ability to cause pulmonary invasive aspergillosis in mice. Infect Immun 43:320–325PubMed
25.
go back to reference Rhodes J, Bode R, McCuan-Kirsch C (1988) Elastase production in clinical isolates of Aspergillus. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 10:165–170CrossRefPubMed Rhodes J, Bode R, McCuan-Kirsch C (1988) Elastase production in clinical isolates of Aspergillus. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 10:165–170CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Hurst RW, Judkins A, Bolger W, Chu A, Loevner A (2001) Mycotic aneurysm and cerebral infarction resulting from fungal sinusitis: imaging and pathologic correlation. Am J Neuroradiol 22:858–863PubMed Hurst RW, Judkins A, Bolger W, Chu A, Loevner A (2001) Mycotic aneurysm and cerebral infarction resulting from fungal sinusitis: imaging and pathologic correlation. Am J Neuroradiol 22:858–863PubMed
27.
go back to reference Serda Kantarcioglu A, Guarro J, de Hoog GS (2008) Central nervous system infections by members of the Pseudoallescheria boydii species complex in healthy and immunocompromised hosts: epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcome. Mycoses 51:275–290CrossRefPubMed Serda Kantarcioglu A, Guarro J, de Hoog GS (2008) Central nervous system infections by members of the Pseudoallescheria boydii species complex in healthy and immunocompromised hosts: epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcome. Mycoses 51:275–290CrossRefPubMed
28.
go back to reference Watson JC, Myseros JS, Bullock MR (1999) True fungal mycotic aneurysm of the basilar artery: a clinical and surgical dilemma. Cerebrovasc Dis 9:50–53CrossRefPubMed Watson JC, Myseros JS, Bullock MR (1999) True fungal mycotic aneurysm of the basilar artery: a clinical and surgical dilemma. Cerebrovasc Dis 9:50–53CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Apostolova LG, Johnson EK, Adams HP Jr (2005) Disseminated Pseudoallescheria boydii infection successfully treated with voriconazole. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 76:1741–1742CrossRefPubMed Apostolova LG, Johnson EK, Adams HP Jr (2005) Disseminated Pseudoallescheria boydii infection successfully treated with voriconazole. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 76:1741–1742CrossRefPubMed
30.
go back to reference Fracasso T, Brinkmann B, Paulus W (2008) Sudden death due to subarachnoid bleeding from ecchordosis physalophora. Int J Legal Med 122:225–227CrossRefPubMed Fracasso T, Brinkmann B, Paulus W (2008) Sudden death due to subarachnoid bleeding from ecchordosis physalophora. Int J Legal Med 122:225–227CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Fatal mycotic aneurysm caused by Pseudallescheria boydii after near drowning
Authors
C. Ortmann
J. Wüllenweber
B. Brinkmann
T. Fracasso
Publication date
01-05-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-009-0336-9

Other articles of this Issue 3/2010

International Journal of Legal Medicine 3/2010 Go to the issue