Invasive sino-nasal pseudallescheriasis in a non-immunocompromised patient

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001 Apr;53(2):148-50. doi: 10.1007/BF02991513.

Abstract

Pseudallescheriasis is a spectrum of clinical diseases involving Pseudallescheria boydii, a soil and water inhabiting fungus. The organism is of low virulence, but is a fungal opportunist able to elicit infections similar in terms of variety and pre disposing factors to those of Aspergillus species(3). Involvement of the nose and the sinuses is very rare(7). Here we present a case of invasive Pseudallescheriasis involving the nose, paranasal sinuses and orbit in a non-immunocompromised person. Surgical debridement followed by systemic antifungal therapy was given. The fungus resembles hyaline moulds like Aspergillus very closely in tissue sections and can be a diagnostic challenge to the pathologist.

Keywords: Pseudallescheriasis; sino-nasal.