Extra-pulmonary invasive fungal infection in a post-heart transplant patient

Infectious complications remain a lifelong risk after organ transplantation. Invasive fungal infections (IFIs), including fungal brain abscess, in these patients can be very morbid and fatal. Decreased host immunity due to lifelong immunosuppressive therapy is the single most important risk factor for IFIs. Unlike in the general population, IFIs are difficult to diagnose in immunosuppressed patients because of atypical presentations, low yield of pathogens from microbial cultures, and long turnaround time for culture results. Late diagnosis and delayed initiation of treatment may influence the final outcome.