Trichosporon inkin meningitis in a pediatric patient diagnosed via metagenomic sequencing.

BACKGROUND

Trichosporon has emerged as an important cause of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. There are limited data on invasive Trichosporon infections in children.

CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of culture-negative Trichosporon inkin meningitis diagnosed via metagenomic next-generation sequencing of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in an infant with retinoblastoma. In addition, we highlight the role of β-1,3-D-glucan in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of trichosporonosis, and cross-reactivity of the cryptococcal antigen lateral flow assay with T. inkin.

CONCLUSION

This diagnosis, which was challenging to make in the absence of a positive culture, highlights the utility of metagenomic sequencing methods and fungal biomarkers in identifying infectious agents and ensuring timely diagnosis and management of patients with rare fungal infections of the central nervous system.