Mucormycosis due to Cunninghamella spp. is a rare disease, especially in immunocompetent individuals. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a new species of Cunninghamella, causing chronic rhino-orbital-cerebral disease, and review cases of mucormycosis due to Cunninghamella spp. in immunocompetent individuals. The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) sequence of isolate NCCPF 890012 showed 90% similarity with Cunninghamella bigelovii, while the large ribosomal subunit (28S) and translation elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) gene sequences showed 98% identity. Further, the phylogenetic analysis with concatenated sequences clustered isolate (NCCPF 890012) closely with C. bigelovii. The ITS sequence showed the maximum variation among three genes analyzed and helped in the new species’ delineation. Comparison of the assembled whole genome of NCCPF 890012 with other Mucorales using 123 single-copy orthologous genes showed clustering within the genus Cunninghamella. Based on these findings, the isolate is considered to be a new species of Cunninghamella and designated as Cunninghamella arunalokei sp. nov. Despite repeated debridement and antifungal treatment, the patient had multiple recurrences with intracranial extension and succumbed to the illness.

Autops Case Rep, vol.9, n4, e2019122, 2019

Bacground: Primary mediastinal malignant germ cell tumour (PMMGCT) is rare with unsatisfactory prognosis and pose difficulty in management due to lack of guidelines. Methods: All cases of PMMGCT diagnosed and treated between years 2014 to 2018 were retrospectively evaluated for clinico-pathological features, multimodality treatment and follow up. Results: Among a total of five PMMGCT cases, three were seminomatous and two were non seminomatous tumour [Yolk- sac tumour (n-1) and Mixed tumour (n-1)]. Four of these cases were non - metastatic with locally advancement and another one presented with metastasis to supraclavicular lymph node. All patients received platinum based induction chemotherapy. Post-induction chemotherapy, two cases of non seminomatous tumours underwent surgery. Among the three seminoma cases, one patient showed complete metabolic response; one with metastasis succumbed to the disease and the in-operable case of seminoma received local radiotherapy. Conclusion: PMMGCT needs a multi-disciplinary approach for appropriate diagnosis and management. Clinicopathological features like tumour site, extension, histopathological type, tumour stage and serum tumour marker are necessary for prognostication and decision making of further treatment plan.

Extrapancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPNs) are rare tumors, which bear morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features similar to those of pancreatic counterparts. SPN occurs primarily in adolescent girls and young women. It is considered to be a malignant neoplasm with low-grade biology. Ovarian SPNs are uncommon, have benign morphology, usually limited to the ovary and local surgical excision is curative. We report an unusual case of SPN of right ovary with extraovarian spread and metastases to lymph nodes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second documented case of extragonadal spread of ovarian SPN.