Subcutaneous abscess caused by Chondrostereum purpureum, an unusual infection from plant to human: The first case report in a transplant recipient

Abstract

Filamentous basidiomycetes have been recognized as emerging causes of human infection. Schizophyllum commune is the most frequently reported, whereas infections caused by other species are exceedingly rare. We report a case of subcutaneous abscess caused by Chondrostereum purpureum in a kidney transplant recipient. Definitive identification was achieved by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer and the D1/D2 regions. The patient was successfully treated with the surgical procedure and oral posaconazole. This report emphasizes the potential pathogenicity of plant fungi and the importance of molecular tools for identification.