Aspergillus terreusSpondylodiscitis in an Immunocompromised Child

We report the case of a 12-year-old immunocompromised boy with spondylodiscitis of the thoracolumbar spine caused by Aspergillus terreus. Microbiologic diagnosis was confirmed by inoculation of aspiration fluid into blood culture bottles. Because of noncompliance, the patient was treated with extended voriconazole therapy (23 months) with regular serum drug concentration monitoring and intermittent direct observation therapy in an outpatient clinic. The Aspergillusgenus contains species that are important causes of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Although the lung is the main target of invasive Aspergillosis, more severe forms such as Aspergillusosteomyelitis can occur.1A. fumigatusis the most common cause of Aspergillusosteomyelitis, causing 55%–61% of all cases, whereas A. terreuscauses 2.3%–2.8% of cases. The vertebral bodies are the most commonly affected sites, occurring in 46%–49% of cases.2,3Here, we report the case of an immunocompromised 12-year-old boy with thoracolumbar spondylodiscitis caused by A. terreus.