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- Title
Fungal encephalitis following bone marrow transplantation: Clinical findings and prognosis.
- Authors
Teive, H. A. G.; Carsten, A. L. M; Iwamoto, F. M.; Almeida, S. M.; Munhoz, R. P.; Werneck, L. C.; Medeiros, C. R.; Pasquini, R.
- Abstract
Background: Central nervous system fungal infections (FI) are important complications and a cause of mortality in patients who receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Aims: To study the clinical aspects of fungal encephalitis (FE). Settings and Design: The study was carried out at the HSCT Center of the Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil. Materials and Methods: Clinical records and autopsy reports from patients submitted to HSCT with a diagnosis of FE. Results: Twelve patients were diagnosed with FE presenting with lowered level of consciousness, hemiparesis and seizures. We were able to identify two subgroups regarding susceptibility to FE: (1) patients with early onset FI and severe leucopoenia, and (2) patients with later onset FI with graft-versus-host disease using immunosuppressive drugs. Eleven of the patients died directly due to the neurological complication, all had post-mortem confirmation of the diagnosis of FI. Conclusions: These clinical, paraclinical and temporal patterns may provide the opportunity for earlier diagnosis and interventions.
- Subjects
BONE marrow transplantation; BONE marrow purging; DISEASE susceptibility; CENTRAL nervous system; FORENSIC medicine; IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE agents; HEMATOPOIETIC stem cells
- Publication
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 2008, Vol 54, Issue 3, p203
- ISSN
0022-3859
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.4103/0022-3859.41802