Pulmonary Rhizopus infection in a diabetic renal transplant recipient

Infectious complications after renal transplantation remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Mucormycosis is a rare infection in renal transplant recipients; however, mortality is exceedingly high. Risk factors predisposing to this disease include prolonged neutropenia, diabetes, and patients who are immunosuppressed (Singh N, Gayowski T, Singh J, Yu LV. Invasive gastrointestinal zygomycosis in a liver transplant recipient: case report and review of zygomycosis in solid-organ transplant recipients, Clin Infect Dis 1995: 20: 617). Life-threatening infections can occur, as this fungus has the propensity to invade blood vessel endothelium, resulting in hematological dissemination. We report a case of cavitary Rhizopus lung infection, 2 months after renal transplantation, where the patient was treated successfully with Amphotericin B and surgical resection of the lesions with preservation of his allograft function. In this era of intensified immunosuppression, we may see an increased incidence of mucormycosis in transplant population. Invasive diagnostic work-up is mandatory in case of suspicion; Amphotericin B and, in selected cases, surgical resection are the mainstays of therapy.