Intra-abdominal Rhizopus microsporus infection successfully treated by combined aggressive surgical, antifungal, and iron chelating therapy

J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2010 Aug;32(6):e238-40. doi: 10.1097/MPH.0b013e3181e622bf.

Abstract

Zygomycetes are widely distributed in the environment as inhabitants of soil and decaying matter. On rare occasions, these organisms can cause invasive infections in immunocompromised hosts. As zygomycetes are resistant to most conventional antifungal agents, its infection is often fatal. We report 2 cases of unusual intra-abdominal Rhizopus microsporus infection in children with acute leukemia as a result of an unprecedented outbreak due to oral intake of contaminated allopurinol tablets and ready-to-eat food items. Among the 2 patients, one of them survived after aggressive combined surgical, antifungal (AmBisome, Caspofungin, and Posaconazole) and iron chelation therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / microbiology*
  • Abdomen / surgery
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host*
  • Iron Chelating Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Mucormycosis / etiology
  • Mucormycosis / immunology*
  • Mucormycosis / therapy*
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / physiopathology
  • Rhizopus

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Iron Chelating Agents