Fungal Contamination of Methylprednisolone Causing Recurrent Lumbosacral Intradural Abscess

Emerg Infect Dis. 2017 Mar;23(3):552-553. doi: 10.3201/eid2303.161334.

Abstract

Fungal meningitis transmitted through injections of methylprednisolone contaminated with Exserohilum rostratum affected 753 persons and caused 61 deaths in the United States in 2012. We report a case of infection recurrence after 24-months with the unique manifestation of an intradural fungal abscess. Fungal disease should remain on the differential diagnosis list for previously exposed patients.

Keywords: contaminated methylprednisolone injection; epidural steroids; fungal abscess; fungi.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / etiology
  • Abscess / microbiology*
  • Aged
  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Ascomycota / isolation & purification*
  • Drug Contamination*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningitis, Fungal / drug therapy
  • Meningitis, Fungal / etiology*
  • Meningitis, Fungal / microbiology*
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage*
  • Recurrence
  • Voriconazole / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • Amphotericin B
  • Voriconazole
  • Methylprednisolone