Aspergillus fumigatus: a rare cause of vertebral osteomyelitis

Patients with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have an increased risk of infection which is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. Multiple factors seem to be involved: a cellular and humoral immune dysfunction related to the disease itself and the immunosuppression related to treatments employed, particularly in advanced stages. The new purine analogues have been associated with opportunistic infections caused by uncommon agents such as Pneumocystis carinii, Listeria monocytogenes and fungi. We present the case of a patient diagnosed of CLL who developed a vertebral osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus fumigatus.