Curvularia brain abscess

Gadgil, Nisha; Kupferman, Michael E.; Smitherman, Sheila M.; Fuller, Gregory N.; Rao, Ganesh

doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2012.05.012

Cited by 15 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Pituitary fossa mucocele with associated optic nerve atrophy 29 and sellar mass that is uniformly contrast enhancing mimicking meningioma, 30 have been reported as uncommon localisations of the fungus. Destruction of the anterior cranial fossa floor in the CT 31 or nasal involvement with osseous erosion of the cribriform plate and medial walls of orbits 26 can accompany the main lesions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat

et al. 2021

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A 13‐year‐old female neutered domestic short‐hair cat was presented with chronic progressive vestibular ataxia, lethargy and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed bilateral mucopurulent nasal discharge. Neurological examination revealed obtundation, a right head tilt, ambulatory tetraparesis, generalised vestibular ataxia, decreased postural reactions in all limbs, right Horner's syndrome, spontaneous conjugate jerk rotatory nystagmus and right positional ventral strabismus. Neuroanatomical localisation was observed in the right central vestibular system. Computed tomography revealed a solitary ill‐defined contrast‐enhancing mass lesion at the level of the right cerebellopontine angle. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed mild mononuclear pleocytosis and fungal elements. CSF culture was positive for Curvularia spp. Further tests for underlying diseases were all negative. The cat was treated with antibiotic and antifungal treatment, but it deteriorated rapidly and was euthanased. Necropsy of the brainstem mass lesion revealed pyogranulomatous inflammation. Panfungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and subsequent sequencing identified Curvularia lunata in the formalin fixed brain tissue. This is the first report of brainstem phaeohyphomycosis by Curvularia lunata (Pleosporales) in a cat. In addition, this is the first report among animal and humans where fungal elements of Curvularia lunata were found in the CSF cytology. Opportunistic fungal pathogens should be always considered within the differential diagnoses list in cats with neurological signs and advanced imaging findings compatible with solitary mass lesions in the brain. In feline patients with pyogranulomatous meningoencephalitis and a suspicion of a fungal aetiology, panfungal PCR for the ITS region and sequencing should be performed regardless of the absence of fungal elements in histopathology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat

et al. 2021

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“…Other reported infections with Curvularia spp. include a brain abscess in a patient with chronic sinusitis [10] and peritonitis in an elderly patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis [11]. The differential diagnosis of Curvularia lunata includes Bipolaris spp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of Curvularia lunata by polymerase chain reaction in a case of fungal endophthalmitis

Alex

Calderone

et al. 2013

Medical Mycology Case Reports

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Curvularia is a dematiaceous mold that infects plant species and is found in the soil. In humans, it is known to cause keratitis after trauma to the eye. We report the findings of persistent fungal endophthalmitis in a 74-year-old female patient who had undergone prior cataract surgery. Mold identification and antifungal susceptibilities were done on 2 separate samples of vitreous fluid and they were found to be consistent with Curvularia lunata by the use of PCR amplification methods.

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“…There is usually a single lesion seen on brain imaging, though multiple abscesses can occur, with resulting poor prognosis due to inability to completely resect all lesions [47,49]. Other potential risk factors have also been noted in the literature, including head trauma, concurrent sinusitis, and even smoking marijuana [50,51,52]. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis, when safe and indicated, may be normal [53].…”

Section: Clinical Presentation and Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

CNS Infections Caused by Brown-Black Fungi

Velasco

Revankar

2019

JoF

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Central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by brown-black or dematiaceous fungi are distinctly rare and represent a small proportion of infections termed phaeohyphomycoses. However, these are becoming more commonly reported. Though many fungi have been implicated in disease, most cases are caused by only a few species, Cladophialophora bantiana being the most common. Most of the fungi described are molds, and often cause infection in immunocompetent individuals, in contrast to infection with other more common molds such as Aspergillus, which is usually seen in highly immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis is challenging, as there are no specific tests for this group of fungi. In addition, these infections are often refractory to standard drug therapies, requiring an aggressive combined surgical and medical approach to improve outcomes, yet mortality remains high. There are no standardized treatments due to a lack of randomized clinical trials, though guidelines have been published based on available data and expert opinion.

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Curvularia brain abscess

Cited by 15 publications

References 8 publications

Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat

Brainstem phaeohyphomycosis due to Curvularia lunata (Cochliobolus lunatus) in a cat

Identification of Curvularia lunata by polymerase chain reaction in a case of fungal endophthalmitis

CNS Infections Caused by Brown-Black Fungi

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