As with aspergillosis, fusariosis is characterized by angioinvasive disease. Clinical syndromes caused by Fusarium sp. include disseminated infection with multisystem involvement, sinusitis, cellulitis and subcutaneous nodules. Prolonged neutropenia appears to be the leading predisposing factor for the development of fusariosis. Click here to see a larger view of the Aspergillus morphology. Speciation within the genus Fusarium by growth characteristics and morphology may be difficult.
Mortality is high with disseminated infection.
Patients with sinusitis may require repeated debridement. Those with early resolution of neutropenia and disease limited to skin, sinuses, or lung, appear to respond best to treatment. Martino P, Gastaldi R, Raccah R, Girmenia C. Clinical patterns of Fusarium infections in immunocompromised patients. Merz WG, Karp JE, Hoagland M, et al. Diagnosis and successful treatment of fusariosis in the compromised host.