Melanized fungus as an Epidural abscess: A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Abstract

Curvularia a dematiaceous fungus is ubiquitously found in soil around the world. We report an epidural abscess due to Curvularia lunata in a 48 years male farmer who underwent decompressive laminectomy as primary modality of treatment followed by isolation, identification and confirmation of the isolate from tissue by ITS sequencing. Antifungal therapy with voriconazole and amphotericin B for 3 and 2 weeks respectively improved patient's condition and is presently on regular follow up with no sequelae since last 7 months.

Keywords

• Curvularia lunata
• Central India
• Epidural abscesss
• Melanized fungus
• Molecular identification
• Phaeohyphomycosis