Fatal brain abscesses caused by Ramichloridium obovoideum: Report of three cases

Three cases of brain abscesses caused by Ramichloridium obovoideum are reported. Inspite of adequate antifungal chemotherapy and multiple surgical procedures, all the three patients died of the rupture of a recurrant abscess into the ventricles. Ramichloridium obovoideum was identified as the causative fungus of these brain abscesses. Clinical, histological and mycological features of these cases are described. To our knowledge this is the first time that this fungus is isolated from a brain abscess in Saudi Arabia. The possibility that this life threatening cerebral mycosis may be endemic in this part of the world is considered. © 1988 Springer-Verlag.