Cutaneous and paranasal aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient

Osteomyelitis of Jaw Bone due to Aspergillosis in Post-COVID-19 Patients: An Observational Study

Background

In the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in number of cases with Post-COVID-19 fungal osteomyelitis of jaws. Aspergillosis was found to be one of the causes of osteomyelitis of jaw bones in these patients.

Aim

To evaluate the incidence and pattern of osteomyelitis of jaw due to aspergillosis in post-COVID-19 patients and to discuss the management protocol of the same.

Method

Data were obtained at our institution from the period of January 2021 to June 2021. Patients of all age groups with Post-COVID-19 osteomyelitis of jaw due to aspergillosis and those with combined aspergillosis and mucormycosis infection were included. Patients having rhino-orbito-cerebral fungal infection were excluded.

Results

A total of 47 patients reported to our center. Demographically the average age of the patients was 49.11 years with 72% being males. All 47 patients (N = 100%) had received steroids. 21 of them (N = 44.7%) had diabetes mellitus and 14 (N = 29.8%) patients had other comorbidities. Out of 47 patients, 42 (N = 89.7%) patients were diagnosed with aspergillosis and the remaining 5 (N = 10.3%) cases had a mixed fungal infection of mucormycosis and aspergillosis. On fungal culture Aspergillus flavus was the most common species detected followed by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus. All patients were treated with oral Voriconazole and local surgical debridement. Prompt laboratory testing such as a timely KOH mount, galactomannan test, beta-D-glucan test, histopathology of tissue specimens could help to give an early and definitive diagnosis. The mortality rate we encountered in this study was nil.

Conclusions

Early and definitive diagnosis and immediate initiation of antifungal drug therapy and surgical intervention will significantly reduce the rate of morbidity and mortality.

A Rare Case of Mandibular Aspergillus Osteomyelitis in an Immunocompetent Patient

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by Aspergillus species, which is contracted through spores that colonize the respiratory tract, causing rhinosinusitis and pulmonary infections. Oral aspergillosis is rare and, when present, may cause soft tissue and bone destruction, generally in immunodeficient patients. Mandibular Aspergillus osteomyelitis is even rarer, with few cases reported in the literature. A 57-year-old Caucasian woman was referred for the evaluation of painful recurrent swelling in the anterior mandibular alveolar ridge, with purulent drainage, previously treated with multiple surgical debridement procedures and antibiotics without success. The patient was otherwise systemically healthy. Surgical debridement was performed and histopathological examination showed osteomyelitis associated with Aspergillus species. Therapy with oral itraconazole (400 mg per day) was administered for 3 months, resulting in complete resolution. No recurrence was detected after 15 years of follow-up. The patient was rehabilitated with dental implants. In conclusion, non-bacterial microorganisms, such as Aspergillus, should be considered in cases of mandibular osteomyelitis that do not heal after surgical debridement and antibiotic therapy.

Primary Cutaneous Aspergillosis in an Immunocompetent Patient: A Case Report from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai

Aspergillosis is a systemic fungal infection that commonly affects immunocompromised individuals and, less frequently, immunocompetent individuals. It is the most common opportunistic fungal disease after candidiasis. This is primarily a pulmonary infection and can also involve other body sites like paranasal sinuses and cutaneous tissues. Aspergillus fumigatus , Aspergillus niger , and Aspergillus flavus are the common species infecting humans. Primary cutaneous aspergillosis (PCA) is usually caused by A. flavus and A. fumigatus . It is commonly seen in immunocompromised patients such as those suffering from diabetes, malignancies, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, or patients on long-term steroids and antibiotics. In this article, we report a case of PCA, in the immediate postoperative period, following a road traffic accident, in an immunocompetent patient. This posed a diagnostic challenge to the treating physicians. A. flavus was confirmed with 10% potassium hydroxide mount, lactophenol cotton blue, and growth on Sabouraud dextrose agar from tissue culture sample. Antifungal treatment was initiated with oral itraconazole 200 mg after performing antifungal susceptibility testing based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. The patient's condition improved and was discharged. Thus, early detection of PCA combined with medical and surgical intervention can successfully eradicate infection and help in preventing disseminated aspergillosis.

Invasive aspergillosis in a user of inhaled cocaine: rhinosinusitis with bone and cartilage destruction

Aspergillosis is an infection caused by saprophytic fungi of the genus Aspergillus, which typically occurs in immunosuppressed individuals, but has also been reported in immunocompetent patients. The main routes of entry are the respiratory tract, skin, cornea, and ear, and the infection may be localized or disseminated by contiguity or vascular invasion. We report a severe case of rhinosinusitis with cutaneous involvement, caused by invasive aspergillosis, in an immunocompetent user of inhaled cocaine. Invasive aspergillosis related to cocaine abuse has not yet been reported in the literature. After itraconazole treatment and surgical debridement, complete clinical remission was achieved. Nasal reconstruction with a skin graft over a silicone prosthesis resulted in a satisfactory esthetic outcome.

Adrenal and hepatic aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient

Invasive aspergillosis, an infection most frequently induced by Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus, typically occurs in immunocompromised patients and is usually transmitted through inhalation of Aspergillus spores. As the lungs are by far the most common site involved in invasive aspergillosis and invasive aspergillosis in immunocompetent hosts is very rare, there have been a few case reports of extra-pulmonary, disseminated invasive aspergillosis in immunocompetent persons. Herein, we report a case of an adult, male, immunocompetent patient with disseminated invasive aspergillosis that successively spread from the right adrenal gland to the left hepatic lobe. The patient was successfully treated through surgical excisions of his adrenal and hepatic masses followed by voriconazole therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of invasive aspergillosis affecting the adrenal glands.

Granulomatous invasive aspergillosis of paranasal sinuses masquerading as actinomycosis and review of published literature

Cutaneous aspergillosis is a common systemic mycosis affecting immunosuppressed patients. Here, we describe a novel morphological type of cutaneous aspergillosis in a young immunocompetent woman who presented with a chronic history of multiple nodules and discharging sinuses over left side of the face, mimicking cervicofacial actinomycosis. Skin biopsy showed granulomatous inflammation, and of septate fungal hyphae with acute-angled branching, morphologically resembling Aspergillus. This was confirmed on fungal culture as Aspergillus flavus.

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia: a review

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) is a benign condition, characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis and adnexal epithelium, closely simulating squamous cell carcinoma. PEH may be present in a number of conditions characterized by prolonged inflammation and/or chronic infection, as well as in association with many cutaneous neoplasms. Herein, we review different inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic skin diseases, in which florid epidermal hyperplasia is a prominent histopathologic feature, and introduce a systematic approach in the interpretation of PEH.

Invasive aspergillosis in developing countries

To review invasive aspergillosis (IA) in developing countries, we included those countries, which are mentioned in the document of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), called the Emerging and Developing Economies List, 2009. A PubMed/Medline literature search was performed for studies concerning IA reported during 1970 through March 2010 from these countries. IA is an important cause of morbidity and mortality of hospitalized patients of developing countries, though the exact frequency of the disease is not known due to inadequate reporting and facilities to diagnose. Only a handful of centers from India, China, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, Turkey, Hungary, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina had reported case series of IA. As sub-optimum hospital care practice, hospital renovation work in the vicinity of immunocompromised patients, overuse or misuse of steroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics, use of contaminated infusion sets/fluid, and increase in intravenous drug abusers have been reported from those countries, it is expected to find a high rate of IA among patients with high risk, though hard data is missing in most situations. Besides classical risk factors for IA, liver failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and tuberculosis are the newly recognized underlying diseases associated with IA. In Asia, Africa and Middle East sino-orbital or cerebral aspergillosis, and Aspergillus endophthalmitis are emerging diseases and Aspergillus flavus is the predominant species isolated from these infections. The high frequency of A. flavus isolation from these patients may be due to higher prevalence of the fungus in the environment. Cerebral aspergillosis cases are largely due to an extension of the lesion from invasive Aspergillus sinusitis. The majority of the centers rely on conventional techniques including direct microscopy, histopathology, and culture to diagnose IA. Galactomannan, β-D glucan test, and DNA detection in IA are available only in a few centers. Mortality of the patients with IA is very high due to delays in diagnosis and therapy. Antifungal use is largely restricted to amphotericin B deoxycholate and itraconazole, though other anti-Aspergillus antifungal agents are available in those countries. Clinicians are aware of good outcome after use of voriconazole/liposomal amphotericin B/caspofungin, but they are forced to use amphotericin B deoxycholate or itraconazole in public-sector hospitals due to economic reasons.

The biocontaminants and complexity of damp indoor spaces: more than what meets the eyes

Nine types of biocontaminants in damp indoor environments from microbial growth are discussed: (1) indicator molds; (2) Gram negative and positive bacteria; (3) microbial particulates; (4) mycotoxins; (5) volatile organic compounds, both microbial (MVOCs) and non-microbial (VOCs); (6) proteins; (7) galactomannans; (8) 1-3-β-D-glucans (glucans) and (9) lipopolysaccharides (LPS — endotoxins). When mold species exceed those outdoors contamination is deduced. Gram negative bacterial endotoxins, LPS in indoor environments, synergize with mycotoxins. The gram positive Bacillus species, Actinomycetes (Streptomyces, Nocardia and Mycobacterium), produce exotoxins. The Actinomycetes are associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, lung and invasive infections. Mycobacterial mycobacterium infections not from M. tuberculosis are increasing in immunocompetent individuals. In animal models, LPS enhance the toxicity of roridin A, satratoxins G and aflatoxin B1 to damage the olfactory epithelium, tract and bulbs (roridin A, satratoxin G) and liver (aflatoxin B1). Aflatoxin B1 and probably trichothecenes are transported along the olfactory tract to the temporal lobe. Co-cultured Streptomyces californicus and Stachybotrys chartarum produce a cytotoxin similar to doxorubicin and actinomycin D (chemotherapeutic agents). Trichothecenes, aflatoxins, gliotoxin and other mycotoxins are found in dust, bulk samples, air and ventilation systems of infested buildings. Macrocyclic trichothecenes are present in airborne particles <2 μm. Trichothecenes and stachylysin are present in the sera of individuals exposed to S. chartarum in contaminated indoor environments. Haemolysins are produced by S. chartarum, Memnoniella echinata and several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. Galactomannans, glucans and LPS are upper and lower respiratory tract irritants. Gliotoxin, an immunosuppressive mycotoxin, was identified in the lung secretions and sera of cancer patients with aspergillosis produced by A. fumigatus, A. terreus, A. niger and A. flavus.

Aspergillus flavus: an emerging non-fumigatus Aspergillus species of significance

Invasive aspergillosis is rare in immunocompetent people but contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. The majority (approximately 80%) of invasive Aspergillus infections is caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. The second most frequent (approximately 15-20%) pathogenic species is Aspergillus flavus and to a lesser extent, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus terreus. Aspergillus flavus has emerged as a predominant pathogen in patients with fungal sinusitis and fungal keratitis in several institutions worldwide. To date, there has not been any publication exclusively reviewing the topic of A. flavus in the literature. This article reviews the microbiology, toxigenicity and epidemiology of A. flavus as well as describes the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and management of infections caused by this organism.

Pathophysiology and progression of nasal septal perforation

OBJECTIVE

To review the prevalence, causes, and treatments of nasal septal perforation (NSP).

DATA SOURCES

A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE to identify peer-reviewed articles related to NSP using the keywords nasal septal perforation and septal perforation for articles published between January 1, 1969, and December 31, 2006, and references cited therein.

STUDY SELECTION

Articles were selected based on their direct applicability to the subject matter.

RESULTS

Causes of NSPs include piercings, exposure to industrial chemicals, illicit drug use, intranasal steroid use, surgical trauma, bilateral cautery, and possibly improper use of nasal applicators. Prevalence is poorly reported. Mechanisms of substance-induced NSP formation are not understood. Progression from epistaxis to ulceration to NSP could not be substantiated by the literature.

CONCLUSION

Depending on the patient, NSP may be viewed as desirable (nose rings), problematic (whistling, congestion), or inconsequential. Understanding the pathogenesis of NSP is important for the practicing physician required to make decisions about whether to recommend surgical correction or medical treatment. Although the etiology of NSP is overwhelmingly iatrogenic, there is an association with a number of medical diseases in addition to use of illicit drugs and/or prescription nasal sprays.

[Erysipelas-like dermatitis of the legs revealing aspergilloma of the maxillary sinus]

BACKGROUND

Skin signs is associated with Aspergillus are rare and are seen principally in immunodepressed patients. Distinction is generally made between primary skin aspergillosis, caused by direct cutaneous inoculation with the offending organism, and secondary skin aspergillosis, associated with peripheral emboli from an area of chronic pulmonary or sinus mycetoma. There have been rare reports of indirect satellite skin signs resulting from Aspergillus infection, and below we present such a case.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A 40 year-old immunocompetent man consulted for erysipeloid plaques on the lower limbs recurring over a period of seven months. X-rays and CAT scans of the sinus demonstrated asymptomatic axillary sinusitis probably caused by Aspergillus. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery, which resulted in cure without additional antifungal treatment. The inflammatory syndrome subsided and after 15 months, there was no recurrence of lesions.

DISCUSSION

The absence of relapse following treatment of the focus of aspergillosis forms a major argument in favour of a causal relationship between the erysipeloid dermatitis and the sinus mycotic infection. The hypothesis of a septic embologenic mechanism within the sinus was abandoned in favour of a mechanism similar to streptococcal nodular erythema, seen in diseases involving immune complexes, possibly caused by allergy to Aspergillus proteins. This case history demonstrates the existence of satellite skin signs of Aspergillus infection indicative of neither primary nor secondary aspergillosis.

Combined mucormycosis and aspergillosis of the oro-sinonasal region in a patient affected by Castleman disease

One case of aspergillosis and mucormycosis occurring in a patient with stage-IV Castleman disease was investigated. The patient, who had undergone polychemotherapy and was in otherwise good general condition, without lymphadenopathies or imbalance of the immune system, presented with a palatal ulceration that progressively involved the palatal mucosa and bone, the paranasal sinuses and the orbit. Repeated cultural examinations were always negative. He had undergone multiple cytological smears of the inflammatory infiltration and biopsies of both the oral and nasal mucosa, which resulted in extensive necrotic debris and suppurative inflammation, and, on the very last biopsy, fungal hyphae, spores and conidia were also detected. These were large, branching, mostly non-septate hyphae, associated with conidiophores and conidia, the latter appearing dark brown to black in the histological preparations. Following the diagnosis of combined mucormycosis and aspergillosis, the patient underwent prolonged topic and systemic antibiotic treatment that resulted curative. Mucormycosis usually is a fatal complication of head and neck or systemic disorders, leading to severe immune suppression. Nevertheless, early diagnosis may be achieved using a combination of special stains and may lead to effective antibiotic treatment and cure of the patient, even if associated with other opportunistic infections, such as aspergillosis.

Primary aspergillosis affecting the tongue of a leukemic patient

We describe a case of primary aspergillosis involving the tongue of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia. Intraoral aspergillosis is very rare and we found only 23 cases reported in the English literature. Clinically it was a 2-cm, ulcerated, grayish lesion on the dorsum of the tongue. Microscopically there was invasion of the epithelium, connective tissue and muscle of the tongue by fungal hyphae branching at 45 degrees angle. The large hyphae were easily seen by H & E stain, and were strongly positive for periodic acid-Schiff and Grocott methenamine. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous amphotericin B. Based on clinical, microscopic and culture data, the diagnosis of primary aspergillosis of the tongue was established. Invasive oral aspergillosis is a potentially lethal disease and it should be considered in immunosuppressed patients.

[Nasal septal perforation and systemic disease]

INTRODUCTION

Nasal septal perforations are mainly due to trauma. Our review highlights systemic diseases leading to this disorder.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND KEY POINTS

Various systemic diseases may be responsible of nasal septal perforation: Wegener's granulomatosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid syndrome, sarcoidosis, cryoglobulinaemia. But, very few data are available about the frequency of septum nasal perforation in each disease. Clinical manifestations are numerous and not specific: obstruction, epistaxis, postnasal discharge, whistling, crusting. Asymptomatic forms are frequent. Biopsy of nasal septum is poorly useful for the diagnosis except when granuloma or vasculitis is found. Pathophysiologic mechanisms of nasal septal perforation are ischemic, infectious or inflammatory.

FUTURE PROSPECTS AND PROJECTS

Systemic disease may be suspected in unclear nasal septal perforation. More, in systemic disease, even when symptoms are absent, intranasal examination is required.