Disseminated Fusarium infection following cladribine chemotherapy for hairy-cell leukaemia.

Authors

Matthew Dandan, Saba Anwer, Adam Kidwell, Sol Del Mar Aldrete

Published in

BMJ case reports. Volume 19. Issue 9. Sep 18, 2026. Epub Sep 18, 2026.

Abstract

Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL) is a B-cell malignancy whose induction chemotherapy consists of 5 days of cladribine, a purine nucleoside analogue. While there are consensus guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) on antifungal prophylaxis in the setting of acute myeloid leukaemia or acute lymphocytic leukaemia, there are no consensus guidelines for antifungal prophylaxis during induction treatment of HCL. We describe a case of angioinvasive Fusarium infection in a healthy, young patient who completed cladribine chemotherapy for HCL. While rare, fusariosis poses a significant morbidity and mortality risk in neutropenic patients undergoing treatment. Prevention of fusariosis requires appropriate prophylactic agents and treatment requires resolution of neutropenia and the elimination of the fungus. This case highlights early recognition and prompt start of antifungals as the cornerstone of management. Antifungal prophylaxis is not routinely recommended during HCL induction, and whether patients might benefit from prophylaxis warrants further study.

PMID:
42760024
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.