Invasive aspergillosis in a user of inhaled cocaine: rhinosinusitis with bone and cartilage destruction

Aspergillosis is an infection caused by saprophytic fungi of the genus Aspergillus, which typically occurs in immunosuppressed individuals, but has also been reported in immunocompetent patients. The main routes of entry are the respiratory tract, skin, cornea, and ear, and the infection may be localized or disseminated by contiguity or vascular invasion. We report a severe case of rhinosinusitis with cutaneous involvement, caused by invasive aspergillosis, in an immunocompetent user of inhaled cocaine. Invasive aspergillosis related to cocaine abuse has not yet been reported in the literature. After itraconazole treatment and surgical debridement, complete clinical remission was achieved. Nasal reconstruction with a skin graft over a silicone prosthesis resulted in a satisfactory esthetic outcome.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Azulay-Abulafia,Luna, Sousa,Maria Auxiliadora Jeunon, Pussanti,Andrea, Coimbra,Daniel Dal'Asta, Vega,Hernando, Bernardes Filho,Fred
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2014
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822014000400533
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