Disseminated Cunninghamella elegans Infection Diagnosed by mNGS During Induction Therapy in a Child With Intermediate-risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

We described a 14-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who developed disseminated mucormycosis during induction therapy. Disseminated Cunninghamella elegans infection was confirmed by histopathology, microbiological culture, and metagenomic next-generation sequencing analysis of skin tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. Subsequently, the patient received a combination of liposomal amphotericin B, posaconazole, and caspofungin for antifungal treatment, but eventually died because of severe fungal pneumonia, respiratory failure, and septic shock. Moreover, case reports of pulmonary mucormycosis in children published since 1959 were reviewed. In summary, metagenomic next-generation sequencing is an effective diagnostic method for Cunninghamella with high speed and sensitivity.