Isolation of Stachybotrys from the lung of a child with pulmonary hemosiderosis

Recently, Stachybotrys atra, a toxigenic fungus, has been implicated as a p otential cause of pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis in infants living in w ater-damaged homes. Although epidemiologic evidence supports this associati on, neither the organism nor its toxic products has ever been recovered fro m humans. We report the first case in which Stachybotrys was isolated from the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of a child with pulmonary hemorrhage. Stac hybotrys was also recovered from his water-damaged home. The patient recove red completely after his immediate removal from the environment and subsequ ent cleaning of his home. This case provides further evidence that this fun gus is capable of causing pulmonary hemorrhage in children.