Aspergillus fumigatus otomastoiditis and skull base osteomyelitis in a patient with advanced acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

George Psevdos, Jose Fefer, Vishal Patel, Swati Srivastava, Victoria Sharp

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Although exposure to Aspergillus, a cosmopolitan and ubiquitous fungus in nature, is common, otomastoiditis is exceedingly rare. However, immunosuppression is a major predisposing factor for opportunistic Aspergillus infections. We report the case of a Hispanic man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and a low CD4+ T-cell count (21/mm3) who presented with Aspergillus otomastoiditis complicated by peripheral facial nerve palsy 2 weeks after initiation of antiretroviral therapy. The patient had complained of a left earache 3 weeks prior that resolved quickly with antibacterial therapy. Cases of Aspergillus ear infections in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy have been reported. As the patient's human immunodeficiency virus viral load became undetectable rapidly, it is possible that antiretroviral therapy could have exacerbated the infection leading to its final diagnosis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)218-220
Number of pages3
JournalInfectious Diseases in Clinical Practice
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aspergillus fumigatus
  • HIV/AIDS
  • immune reconstitution syndrome
  • osteomastoiditis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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