Successful Management of Spondylodiscitis Caused by Aspergillus nidulans: A Case Report and Literature Review
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 5/6/2025
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Summary
A 59-year-old man with a weakened immune system developed a serious fungal infection of his spine caused by Aspergillus nidulans, a type of mold. The infection was diagnosed through imaging tests and laboratory cultures from a biopsy of the affected vertebrae. Treatment with an antifungal medication called voriconazole for six months successfully cleared the infection without requiring surgery, offering hope for managing this rare and previously often-fatal condition.
Background
Aspergillus nidulans is a saprophytic fungus that can cause various infections in immunocompromised patients, though osteoarticular infections are rare. Spondylodiscitis caused by A. nidulans is an uncommon presentation, with A. fumigatus being the most frequently reported Aspergillus species in osteoarticular infections.
Objective
To report a case of spondylodiscitis caused by Aspergillus nidulans in an immunocompromised patient and review the literature on similar cases to identify distinctive features and management approaches.
Results
A. nidulans was identified from vertebral disc biopsies at L1-L2 level with positive galactomannan antigen testing. The patient was successfully treated with voriconazole for 6 months without requiring surgical intervention. Literature review identified 13 published cases of A. nidulans spondylodiscitis, with this case being the first successful outcome in a non-CGD immunocompromised patient.
Conclusion
Prompt antifungal treatment with voriconazole led to successful resolution of spondylodiscitis caused by A. nidulans without surgery. The case emphasizes the importance of species identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, and monitoring with galactomannan antigen in suspected fungal spondylodiscitis.
- Published in:Journal of Fungi,
- Study Type:Case Report and Literature Review,
- Source: PMID: 40422695, DOI: 10.3390/jof11050361