Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care (Jan 2020)

An unusual case of Microascus brain abscess in an immunocompetent child and a review of the literature

  • Shruti Malik,
  • Vijeta Bajpai,
  • Sagar Betai,
  • Lily Pal,
  • Rungmei S. K Marak

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1038_19
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 2
pp. 1244 – 1247

Abstract

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We present a case of brain abscess in an immunocompetent child due to the dematiaceous fungus Microascus cinereus, an organism commonly found in soil and stored grains. The etiologic agent was demonstrated by direct microscopy and culture. The patient responded well to surgical excision of abscess along with a course of amphotericin B and voriconazole. Microascus species have emerged as significant invasive pathogens especially in the immunocompromised patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of brain abscess caused by M. cinereus in an immunocompetent individual with no underlying risk factors.

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