Fusarium falciforme vertebral abscess and osteomyelitis: case report and molecular classification

J Clin Microbiol. 2011 Jun;49(6):2350-3. doi: 10.1128/JCM.02547-10. Epub 2011 Mar 30.

Abstract

Fusarium is a ubiquitous mold that can cause superficial infections such as keratitis and onychomycosis in immunocompetent humans; however, infections in immunocompromised hosts can be fatal. We report an unusual case of epidural abscess and vertebral osteomyelitis in a patient with an autoimmune disorder who was on long-term glucocorticoids. Multilocus DNA sequence-based typing revealed that the infection was caused by a novel three-locus haplotype of Fusarium falciforme designated FSSC 3+4qqq.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • Epidural Abscess / complications
  • Epidural Abscess / microbiology*
  • Epidural Abscess / pathology*
  • Female
  • Fusarium / classification
  • Fusarium / genetics
  • Fusarium / isolation & purification*
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Multilocus Sequence Typing
  • Mycological Typing Techniques
  • Mycoses / diagnosis*
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Mycoses / pathology
  • Osteomyelitis / complications
  • Osteomyelitis / microbiology
  • Osteomyelitis / pathology
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Spondylitis / complications
  • Spondylitis / microbiology*
  • Spondylitis / pathology*

Substances

  • DNA, Fungal
  • Glucocorticoids

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HQ401721
  • GENBANK/HQ401722
  • GENBANK/HQ401723