Systemic Fusariosis after a Preparative Regimen Including Thiotepa, VP-16 and Busulfan Used for Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Hodgkin's Disease

Abstract

Fusarium infection is rare but important infection after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). A 27-year-old man developed systemic fusarial infection following severe skin damage probably caused by high-dose thiotepa administration. Systemic fusariosis rapidly progressed to a variety of organs despite antifungal treatment, and he finally died of this infection on day 75. Considering that this organism usually invades via damaged skin and that the penile lesion was the first manifestation of systemic fusariosis in this patient, careful examination of the skin might be helpful for early diagnosis of fusarial infection. His clinical course provided us with an important clue for diagnosis of fusarial infection.

Key Words:

• bone marrow transplantation
• Fusarium
• thiotepa
• skin