HYALOHYPHOMYCOSIS CAUSED BY PAECILOMYCES-VARIOTII IN AN OBSTETRICAL PATIENT

A case of hyalohyphomycosis, caused by Paecilomyces variotii, has been described in a 31-year-old female, who had undergone a cesarean secti on in her 39th week of pregnancy for a trial of labour. Five days foll owing delivery, she complained of sharp, cramp-like pains, localized t o the incisional site, She became febrile (38.2 degrees C). An ultraso und examination revealed a complex mass and fluid within the pelvis an d upper abdomen. The fluid was drained by a needle aspiration and the patient was administered a regimen of antibacterial drugs. Microscopic examination did not reveal any bacteria in a gram stained preparation and cultures were negative as well. However, the fluid demonstrated a few segments of septate, hyaline hyphae, with cultures yielding a pur e growth of P. variotii. An exoantigen procedure, currently under deve lopment, was helpful in confirming the identity of the patient's fungu s. The patient's condition improved following needle aspiration and he r recovery was uneventful. It is reiterated that certain infections, a ttributed to low-grade opportunistic pathogens, such as P, variotii, m ay be cured by proper surgical drainage.