Case report: A Saprochaete clavata (Magnusiomyces clavatus) severe infection effectively treated with granulocyte transfusion in a young patient with myeloid sarcoma

Abstract

Myeloid sarcoma is a hematologic malignancy consisting of extramedullary tissue involvement by myeloid blasts, usually considered as acute myeloid leukemia and treated accordingly. The disease itself, together with chemotherapy and disease-associated factors, may have an impact in increasing the risk of developing severe and frequently life-threatening infections. Herein, we describe the case of a patient with a right breast skin lesion, histologically diagnosed myeloid sarcoma, who developed a severe disseminated fungal infection by Saprochaete clavata (Magnusiomyces clavatus), during the first consolidation course of chemotherapy. Despite maximum antifungal therapy, the infection progressed and the fungus continued to be isolated until granulocyte transfusion therapy was initiated. Our experience suggests that patients with profound and long-lasting neutropenia could benefit from granulocyte transfusions as additional therapy in severe fungal infections resistant to broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy.

Keywords: Magnusiomyces clavatus; Saprochaeta clavata; acute myeloid leukemia; case report; granulocyte transfusion; invasive fungal infection; myeloid sarcoma (MS).