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Paratracheal abscess by plant fungus Chondrostereum purpureum- first case report of human infection

Summary

A plant scientist in India developed an unusual infection caused by a fungus that normally only affects plants. The infection formed an abscess near his windpipe and caused voice problems and difficulty swallowing. Doctors couldn’t identify the fungus using standard methods, requiring DNA testing to confirm it was Chondrostereum purpureum, a fungus known to cause silver leaf disease in roses and other plants. The patient recovered completely after surgery to drain the abscess and antifungal medication for two months.

Background

Chondrostereum purpureum is a plant fungus that causes silver leaf disease in plants, particularly of the rose family. While most fungi cannot infect humans, emerging evidence suggests plant pathogens may cross kingdom barriers and infect humans, especially with recurrent exposure to environmental inocula.

Objective

To report the first documented case of human infection caused by the plant pathogen Chondrostereum purpureum, presenting as a paratracheal abscess in an immunocompetent host.

Results

Fungal stain showed septate hyphae with creamy pasty colonies on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Conventional morphological identification failed, but DNA sequencing identified the pathogen as Chondrostereum purpureum. The patient was treated with surgical drainage and oral voriconazole for 60 days with complete resolution and no recurrence after two years.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the potential of environmental plant fungi to cause human disease and highlights the importance of molecular techniques for identifying unusual fungal pathogens. Multimodal treatment including surgical drainage and prolonged antifungal therapy was effective in this immunocompetent host.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology Case Reports,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 36950374
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