Management of Pulmonary Mucormycosis Based on a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Diagnosis in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies: A Report of Four Cases

Intern Med. 2017;56(6):707-711. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.56.7647. Epub 2017 Mar 17.

Abstract

Pulmonary mucormycosis (PM) is a life-threatening fungal infection in patients with hematologic malignancies, and early and accurate diagnostic modalities are urgently needed. We conducted a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay targeting these fungi in peripheral blood from four patients with hematologic malignancies who were strongly suspected of having PM. In these four patients, the Rhizopus species was identified in two patients, and the Cunninghamella and Absidia species in one each. Based on these molecular findings, all of the patients were successfully treated via targeted therapy with liposomal amphotericin B. In this report, a PCR analysis proved very useful for managing PM in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cunninghamella*
  • Female
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucormycosis / complications
  • Mucormycosis / diagnosis
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B