ASPERGILLUS-FUMIGATUS AND CHAETOMIUM-HOMO PILATUM IN A LEUKEMIC PATIENT - PATHOGENIC SIGNIFICANCE OF CHAETOMIUM SPECIES

From the tracheal secretion of a leukaemic patient Aspergillus fumigat us and Chaetomium homopilatum was isolated. Radiographically (HR-CT) a n invasive pulmonary mycosis was diagnosed from which the patient died . As an autopsy was not performed, the role of the isolated fungi coul d not be clarified safely. Aspergillus fumigatus is supposed to have b een responsible for the invasive mycosis. The etiopathological signifi cance of Ch. homopilatum remained unclear. The isolation of Ch. homopi latum was a reason for reviewing the genus Chaetamium. In the literatu re 18 reported cases of infections by Chaetomium sp. were found. Ch. g lobosum was the most prevalent species and caused mostly onychomycosis . Ch. strumarium and Ch. atrobrunneum caused brain infections. The pre disposing factor in case of onychomycosis and cutaneous leasions was a trauma, and the systemic mycoses were a consequence of leukaemia, ren al transplantation, intravenous drug use or renal failure. The reporte d cases show, that Chaetomium sp. may cause infections, if predisposin g factors are present. Therefore the isolation of Chaetomium sp. in cl inical specimen should not regarded as a cont-amination, and the possi ble etiopathological significance should be clarified.