Isolated central nervous system Aspergillosis infection in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient on Ibrutinib: A case report

Thuy-Hong Le, Vikas Kumar, Khubaib Gondal, Martin Barnes, Haseeb Siddique, Barjinder Buttar, Alan Kaell
2020 BMC Infectious Diseases  
In patients at high risk of opportunistic infections who present with isolated. neurological symptoms, it is lifesaving to consider Central Nervous System Aspergillosis (CNS-A). Ibrutinib use in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) has previously been associated with CNS-A. We provide a case report of a patient that presented with primary CNS-A on Ibrutinib therapy without any prior pulmonary or local paranasal signs of infection. 74-year-old Caucasian male with CLL and no prior chemotherapy on
more » ... rutinib for 6 months presented with three months of unsteady gait, occipital headache, and confusion. He has a history of pulmonary sarcoidosis on chronic prednisone 5 mg daily and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was found to have a "brain abscess" on imaging. Emergent craniotomy confirmed Aspergillus and patient was treated with Voriconazole for 6 months. At six-month follow up, repeat magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed complete resolution of CNS lesion. Our case reinforces the importance of being vigilant for isolated CNS-A in CLL patients on ibrutinib who present with neurological symptoms and signs, without prior or co-infection of sino-pulmonary tissue.
doi:10.1186/s12879-020-4894-2 pmid:32093604 fatcat:vvxff4552bashg5jc2tk5tcgti