Diagnosis and clinical management of Exophiala dermatitidis pneumonia in a patient with anorexia nervosa: A case report

We report a patient with anorexia nervosa without bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis who developed acute pneumonia caused by Exophiala dermatitidis (E. dermatitidis). The black fungus found in multiple sputum cultures was determined to be E. dermatitidis using mass spectrometry and identified using genetic analysis. Although the initiation of antifungal therapy was late, the pneumonia gradually improved with long-term treatment. This case highlights the need for early diagnosis and effective long-term treatment of the fungal etiologic agent.

Automated summary

We present a case of a patient with anorexia nervosa who developed acute pneumonia caused by E. dermatitidis. The fungal etiologic agent was identified using mass spectrometry and genetic analysis. Despite the delayed initiation of antifungal therapy, the pneumonia gradually improved with long-term treatment, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and effective treatment.