Deep Entomophthora phycomycotic infection reported for the first time in the United States

Details

• Personal Author:
  Eckert HL ; Gaskell JR ; Gilbert EF ; Khoury GH ; Pore RS
• Description:
  The unusual occurrence of a deep phycomycotic infection in a Caucasian infant from a temperate zone caused by Entomophthora was confirmed by culture and histologic examination of biopsy material from a mediastinal mass. Neither the circumstances relating to the initial infection nor the factors contributing to the marked severity of the disease could be ascertained. In contrast to infections by "opportunistic" fungi i.e., mucormycosis, often a fatal disease of patients with severe underlying defects, the severe Entomophthora phycomycosis described in this case report involved an apparently previous healthy patient. Although it cannot be said with certainty that our patient may not have had an underlying defect, latent infection, or altered host defenses, he did however have the ability to produce functional IgG and IgM, and peroxidase activity was demonstrated in segmented neutrophils. Evidence of cellular immunity was also present. Nevertheless, an undetected defect may have provided the Entomophthora microorganisms on their initial introduction to assume the role of an "opportunistic" agent and induce the severe disease that was manifested. Regardless of the pathogenic or opportunistic status of the Entomophthora microorganism, there is no question that it was responsible for the serious disease desoribed in this patient. It may be appropriate to note that Entomophthora species have been considered for use as biological agents for insect control. As important as the technique of biological control of insects may become, the danger to the human host, exemplified by this present case, warrants more intensive investigation on the pathogenic potential of fungal insecticides before they are released for widespread use. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Fungi Microbiology Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Fungal Diseases Fungal Infections Infectious Agents Infectious Diseases Microorganisms
• ISSN:
  0012-3692
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  ALFORD - Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Disease
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  392-394
• Volume:
  61
• Issue:
  4
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20049364
• Citation:
  Chest 1972 Apr; 61(4):392-394
• Contact Point Address:
  Dr. Eckert, West Virginia University Medical Center, Morgantown 26505
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1972
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Chest
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a49be8e2a0c7327c87d4efbc9fda2d6b2b56aa25a335ae4e2db93875b0e0ef6ed3dba9758963d75cc1ad99157c31c35c6b3c455f7865af0dd7b2fcdf6b4e696d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203829/cdc_203829_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 597.21 KB ]