Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis due to Cladophialophora bantiana - A Case Report and Review of Literature from India

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is a rare disease caused by dematiaceous fungi. It has poor prognosis irrespective of the immune status of the patient. Cladophialophora bantiana is the most commonly isolated species. We report a case of multiple brain abscesses caused by C. bantiana in an immune competent patient. The diagnosis was based on CT scan of head, direct examination and culture of the aspirate from the abscess. Despite complete surgical resection of the abscesses and antifungal therapy with amphotericin B and voriconazole the patient could not be saved. All the cases of cerebral phaeohyphomycosis due to this rare neurotropic fungus reported from India between 1962 and 2009 have also been reviewed.