Stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia with pulmonary and cerebral mucormycosis.

Background: Mucormycosis is one of the most refractory invasive fungal infections and often causes fatal infection in immunocompromised patients, such as those with severe diabetes mellitus and hematologic malignancies.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of stem cell transplantation for a pediatric patient with refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who developed mucormycosis.

Results: An 8-year-old boy with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) received chemotherapy, but relapsed 3 months after discontinuation of treatment. Subsequent chemotherapy was ineffective, and then, while in non-complete remission, he developed pulmonary and cerebral mucormycosis. On gene analysis the fungus was identified as Lichtheimia ramosa. Cord blood transplantation was conducted in combination with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B therapy. He successfully achieved complete remission without progression of mucormycosis.

Conclusions: Stem cell transplantation could reduce the mortality of patients with hematologic disease who develop mucormycosis.