Multi-fungal sepsis and mucormycosis of the central nervous system in a patient treated with ibrutinib, a case report and review of the literature

Publication

Multi-fungal sepsis and mucormycosis of the central nervous system in a patient treated with ibrutinib, a case report and review of the literature

Journal Paper/Review - Dec 3, 2019

Fehr Martin, Cathomas Gieri, Graber Anne, Markert Eva, Gaus Elisabeth, Boggian Katia

Citation

Fehr M, Cathomas G, Graber A, Markert E, Gaus E, Boggian K. Multi-fungal sepsis and mucormycosis of the central nervous system in a patient treated with ibrutinib, a case report and review of the literature. Med Mycol Case Rep 2019; 27:14-16.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

Med Mycol Case Rep 2019; 27

Publication Date

Dec 3, 2019

Issn Print

2211-7539

Pages

14-16

Brief description/objective

We report the case of a 71 years old patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), who developed a rapidly progressing multi-fungal infection including mucormycosis of the central nervous system (CNS) during treatment with ibrutinib. On autopsy mucorales species were demonstrated intravascularly by histomorphology of several organs and lymph nodes and were characterized as by polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) - analysis. In addition, invasive pulmonary was found and also confirmed by PCR. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first confirmation of a multi-fungal sepsis and invasive CNS-infection with mucorales species under ibrutinib. Knowing the risk for invasive fungal disease in patients under ibrutinib, identifying the pathogen and early initiation of specific treatment is crucial for a good clinical outcome especially in mucormycosis.