Ventriculitis due to infection with Rhizopus arrhizus

Abstract

A 52-year-old heart–lung transplant patient presented to the emergency department with acute onset of neurologic symptoms. MRI showed ballooning of the left ventricle, midline shift and contrast enhancement in the anterior horn of the left ventricle. Ventricle neuroendoscopy revealed whitish, floccose aerial structures within the left ventricle. Brain biopsy cultures grew Rhizopus arrhizus. Therapy with liposomale amphotericin B and posaconazole was performed. Except for hemianopsia and deficits in minute motor activity, the patient completely recovered.

Keywords

• Mucormycosis
• Rhizopus oryzae
• Rhizopus arrhizus
• Ventriculitis
• Immunosuppression