Disseminated petriellidosis (allescheriosis)
Walker, D.H.; Adamec, T.; Krigman, M.
Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine 102(3): 158-160
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9985 PMID: 345997 Document Number: 128342
Disseminated infection by Petriellidium (Allescheria) boydii occurred in an immunosuppressed renal allograft recipient. A probable airborne pulmonary infection underwent hematogenous spread to the brain, thyroid and heart. The organism develops septate, branching hyphae in tissue and may be misdiagnosed as Aspergillus. The basic pathologic lesions are necrosis with a predominantly polymorphonuclear leukocytic reaction and abscess formation, and a mild granulomatous response with macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. A particular tropism for blood vessels was observed. The vascular organs, brain and thyroid were involved in all 3 disseminated cases reported thus far.