Fatal invasive aspergillosis in a child with chronic granulomatous disease

J Wound Care. 2022 May 2;31(5):427-431. doi: 10.12968/jowc.2022.31.5.427.

Abstract

Patients with chronic granulomatous disease, a primary immunodeficiency, experience granulomatous complications and recurrent life-threatening opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. In this article, we report on a case of invasive aspergillosis in an eight-year-old boy with chronic granulomatous disease, who presented with pleural effusion and pneumonia, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and unusual skin lesions caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Antifungal treatment with itraconazole and other antifungal agents, along with interferon-γ, was ineffective and the patient eventually died from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, and intracerebral haemorrhage following increased intracranial pressure after one month. The diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis should be considered early in children presenting with invasive fungal infections, particularly those involving the central nervous system.

Keywords: Aspergillus fumigatus; aspergillosis; bacteria; chronic granulomatous disease; fungal; infection; itraconazole; skin lesion; wound; wound care; wound dressing; wound healing.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis* / complications
  • Aspergillosis* / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis* / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Granulomatous Disease, Chronic* / complications
  • Granulomatous Disease, Chronic* / diagnosis
  • Granulomatous Disease, Chronic* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Invasive Fungal Infections* / complications
  • Invasive Fungal Infections* / drug therapy
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / complications
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole