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BMJ Case Reports 2009; doi:10.1136/bcr.07.2008.0392
  • Rare disease

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in fulminant blastomycosis in Germany

  1. Markus Resch1,
  2. Katrin Kurz2,
  3. Wulf Schneider-Brachert3,
  4. Kathrin Tintelnot4,
  5. Christoph Birner1,
  6. Thomas Schichtl1,
  7. Matthias Lubnow1,
  8. Christina Hart5,
  9. Clemens Jilek1,
  10. Simone Bertz2,
  11. Michael Hilker6,
  12. Günter A J Riegger1,
  13. Andreas Luchner1,
  14. Thomas Müller1
  1. 1
    Regensburg University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine II, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
  2. 2
    Regensburg University Medical Center, Department of Pathology, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
  3. 3
    Regensburg University Medical Center, Department of Microbiology, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
  4. 4
    Robert Koch-Institut, Nordufer 20, Berlin, 13353, Germany
  5. 5
    Regensburg University Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine I, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
  6. 6
    Regensburg University Medical Center, Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany
  1. Markus Resch, Markus.Resch{at}klinik.uni-regensburg.de
  • Published 28 June 2009

Summary

In fulminant blastomycosis with multiorgan failure, the earliest diagnosis possible is crucial for successful treatment. If severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) develops, miniaturised veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) might provide a unique and efficacious possibility to prolong the time frame for diagnosis and the beginning of treatment. This is the first report on a case of fatal blastomycosis in Germany. It reminds us to add exotic infections to the differential diagnosis in patients with refractory pneumonia in the era of worldwide tourism.

Footnotes

  • Markus Resch and Kratin Kurz contributed equally to this case report

  • Competing interests: none.

  • Patient consent: Patient/guardian consent was obtained for publication

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