Two case reports: Fatal Absidia corymbifera pulmonary tract infection in the first postoperative phase of a lung transplant patient receiving voriconazole prophylaxis, and transient bronchial Absidia corymbifera colonization in a lung transplant patient

Abstract

Absidia corymbifera is a rare cause of pulmonary tract infection. There exist only 5 case reports predominantly diagnosed in bone marrow transplant patients. Lung transplant patients are at high risk for invasive fungal infections. Due to A. corymbifera as pathogen, known to be voriconazole resistant, a fatal invasive pulmonary mycosis occurred. In the present case voriconazole prophylaxis failed. A second patient showed a transient colonization of the bronchi. To prevent airborne transmitted invasive pulmonary mycosis in the first postoperative period of lung transplantation the patient should be situated in a room ventilated by HEPA-filtered air. The specific treatment should start very early when first suspicion arises. A review of the literature on pulmonary tract infections induced by Absidia corymbifera is provided.