Isolated cerebral mucormycosis caused by <i>Rhizomucor pusillus</i>

Abstract

A 61-year-old man with relapsing chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, status post allogeneic stem cell transplant and multiple chemotherapy regimens presented to the emergency room after suffering a grand mal seizure. His evaluation revealed a 1.5–2 cm ring-enhancing left temporal lobe brain lesion on the CT scan. This brain lesion was resected and the histopathology revealed an invasive fungal organism resembling mucormycosis. Amplification and sequencing of the 28S ribosomal RNA gene identified the organism as Rhizomucor pusillus . The patient was treated with liposomal amphotericin B 5 mg/kg every 24 hours for 4 weeks, and then was transitioned to oral posaconazole. Serial brain imaging at 1 and 3 months, while on therapy, showed significant improvement.