Disseminated bipolaris infection in an immunocompetent host: an atypical presentation.

Abstract

Organisms of the genus Bipolaris are found in the soil and plant material. These fungi are known to be plant pathogens and infection may result from either inoculation or inhalation of the organism. Infections due to this genus are probably more comnuon than previously recognized and have been increasingly reported in apparently imniunocornpetent hosts. Currently, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of disseminated fungal disease. Genus Bipolaris have been associated with central nervous system infections, sinusitis, keratitis, peritonitis associated with continuous anibulatory peritoneal dialysis, orbitopathy and allergic bronchopulmonary disease. In addition to the ability of this genus to cause invasive as well as ‘allergic’ disease in humans, it is reported that a rnycotoxin produced by Bipolaris may induce lung and liver adenomas ill mice. We report a case of disseminated Bipolaris infection in a previously healthy and irnmnucompetent patient with infection including the lungs, liver and lymph nodes.