Infections Caused by Drechslera Species: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Organisms belonging to Drechslera species are rare causes of human infection and are considered opportunistic pathogens. Only 10 cases of human infection with these organisms have been reported in the literature; an additional case--that of a healthy young woman with chronic pansinusitis due to Drechslera spicifera causing nasal obstruction and erosion of bone--is described herein. This case was managed successfully by means of surgical debridement and therapy with amphotericin B and ketoconazole. A review of the literature suggests that infections caused by Drechslera species can in fact occur in a healthy host. Involvement of the paranasal sinuses and the central nervous system is common and potentially life-threatening. Appropriate therapy consists of the administration of amphotericin B, either alone or in combination with other antifungal agents, and surgical debridement when indicated.