Paracoccidioidomycotic aortitis with embolization to the lower limbs. Report of a case and review of the literature
Cherri, J.; Freitas, M.A.; Llorach-Velludo, M.A.; Piccinato, C.E.
Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery 39(5): 573-576
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9509 PMID: 9833714 Document Number: 485545
A case is reported in a 60-year-old man from Brazil , who presented with 2 episodes of arterial embolization of the lower limbs. The patient underwent an embolectomy and microscopic investigation of the emboli revealed that they originated from fungal aortitis caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. The patient was treated with trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole for 2 months. Symptoms of aortitis recurred 14 months later and the patient died within 48 h of admission. Postmortem examination demonstrated aortitis with vegetations and presence of P. brasiliensis in the kidneys, liver, lungs and adrenal glands. A literature review of aortic infections showed only one similar report of this rare clinical expression of paracoccidioidomycosis.