Fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by blastomycosis after recent orthotopic liver transplantation in a non-endemic area

Abstract

In blastomycosis, immunosuppression such as that following solid organ transplantation appears to be a risk factor for the development of overwhelming lung infection fulfilling criteria for the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our transplant center, located outside traditional endemic areas for Blastomyces spp, experienced a case of fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to blastomycosis pneumonia in a recipient of recent orthotopic liver transplantation. The patient expired despite support with veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Keywords

• Blastomycosis
• Pneumonia
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
• Liver transplantation