Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, Newark, NJ, USA | Department of Radiology, Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, Newark, NJ, USA | Department of Pathology, Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, Newark, NJ, USA | Department of Neurosurgery, Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, Newark, NJ, USA | Department of Pediatric Neurology, Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, Newark, NJ, USA | Department of Microbiology, Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, Newark, NJ, USA
Note: [] Correspondence: Elsie Jazmin Foglio, D.O., Department of
Pediatrics, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ
07112, USA. Tel.: +1 201 259 6585; Fax: +1 973 926 6542; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Ustilago species is a pathogenic fungus that causes a fungal corn
disease called "corn smut". Airborne-spores may cause hypersensitivity
pneumonitis in humans with atopy. It has been identified as a rare pathogen in
central line blood infections in immunocompromised patients. Ustilago has not
been reported as a cause of brain abscess in an immunocompetent person. We
report a case of multifocal brain abscesses in a previously healthy
immunocompetent boy caused by Ustilago sp. Excision biopsy established the
diagnosis. The child fully recovered without any residual neurological defects.
