Surgical wound infection by Aspergillus fumigatus in liver transplant recipients

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 1992 Nov-Dec;15(8):703-6. doi: 10.1016/0732-8893(92)90074-4.

Abstract

Cutaneous aspergillosis is generally associated with immunosuppression, burns, and major trauma. Most cases are acquired by direct inoculation, although cutaneous involvement does occasionally occur with disseminated disease. Surgical wound infections caused by Aspergillus species are very unusual and to our knowledge have not been described in the setting of organ transplantation. We describe two liver transplant recipients who developed wound aspergillosis during a nosocomial outbreak of Aspergillus infection. Infection developed in the second and fourth postoperative week respectively, and in both cases wound appearance mimicked necrotizing fasciitis. Both patients died despite local debridement and antifungal therapy with amphotericin B. Aspergillus must be added to the list of potential pathogens of surgical wounds, especially in the setting of organ transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / microbiology*
  • Aspergillosis / therapy
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / isolation & purification*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Debridement
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy

Substances

  • Amphotericin B