Cure of pulmonary Rhizomucor pusillus infection in a patient with hairy-cell leukemia: role of liposomal amphotericin B and GM-CSF

Leuk Lymphoma. 2001 Nov-Dec;42(6):1393-9. doi: 10.3109/10428190109097768.

Abstract

We describe a case of successfully treated multifocal pulmonary Rhizomucor pusillus, a condition which has previously been universally fatal. A 77 year-old man had a background of chronic neutropenia due to hairy-cell leukemia, splenectomy, corticosteroid therapy and an obstructing left ureteric transitional-cell carcinoma. He was successfully treated with 3 months of high-dose liposomal amphotericin B and 7 months of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Treatment was complicated by mild reversible deterioration of renal function. There was a near complete radiological response to the therapy at 6 months and the patient remains well 20 months following diagnosis of R. pusillus and 13 months following cessation of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / administration & dosage*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Hairy Cell / complications*
  • Liposomes
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Mucormycosis / drug therapy*
  • Rhizomucor*

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Amphotericin B
  • Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor