First case of <em>Arthrographis kalrae</em> pulmonary infection in a patient with AIDS

Abstract

Arthrographis kalrae is a hyaline fungus. It is a saprophyte of the environment, mainly found in soil and compost. It is a rare isolate in clinical specimen. In recent years this pathogen has been attributed to various cases of opportunistic infections. Our patient was a 51-year-old Indian woman, farmer by occupation, who had HIV infection and was under HAART treatment. She presented with complaints of cough with scanty expectoration for 2 months. Her CD4 count was 75 cells/μl. Induced sputum was collected and sent for detailed microbiological examination. Bacteriological and mycological profile was checked. The causal agent was identified as Arthrographis kalrae based on morphological characteristics (culture). Unfortunately, samples could not be preserved and sent for ITS region sequencing due to COVID-19 outbreak. The case is of interest because, to the best of our knowledge, Arthrographis kalrae has not been reported so far from our country, India.

Keywords

• Arthrographis kalrae, pulmonary infection, AIDS