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CASE REPORT article

Front. Pharmacol.

Sec. Translational Pharmacology

This article is part of the Research TopicResearch on Precision Prevention and Treatment of Neurological and Neurodegenerative DiseasesView all 18 articles

A Pharmacist-Led Precision Therapy Framework for Managing Invasive Fungal Infection in CSF1R-Related Leukoencephalopathy Post Allo-HSCT

Provisionally accepted
JIN  LUJIN LU1Mengqi  JiaMengqi Jia2Xinghua  LuanXinghua Luan1Zhongqiu  ZhangZhongqiu Zhang1Jingying  WuJingying Wu1Xincai  ZhaoXincai Zhao1Miaomiao  ZhouMiaomiao Zhou1Yao  FuYao Fu1Quanjun  YangQuanjun Yang1Li  CaoLi Cao1*Jianping  ZhangJianping Zhang1*Cheng  GuoCheng Guo1*
  • 1Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
  • 2Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

Introduction Hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS), caused by CSF1R mutations, is a rare autosomal dominant leukodystrophy characterized by rapid neurological decline. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a promising treatment, but the risk of post-transplant complications such as invasive fungal disease (IFD) remains underexplored. Microglial dysfunction in CSF1R-related disorder (CRD) may further impair host immune defense. Methods We describe a Chinese male with a non-hotspot CSF1R mutation (c.2443-1G>C) who underwent allogeneic HSCT. A multidisciplinary team (MDT), including clinical pharmacists, implemented an individualized pharmacological strategy for antifungal management, guided by immune status, infection risk, pharmacokinetics, and next-generation pathogen diagnostics. Results Despite prophylaxis with voriconazole and levofloxacin, the patient developed febrile neutropenia and otitis media by day +16. Empirical meropenem therapy was ineffective, prompting escalation to teicoplanin and caspofungin. Pulmonary infection developed; targeted sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage identified Aspergillus flavus. Antifungal therapy was intensified with voriconazole, resulting in clinical resolution by day +70. Treatment was maintained with good response. Discussion This case demonstrates the complexity of managing IFD in CRD patients after HSCT. The interplay between systemic immunosuppression and intrinsic microglial dysfunction may heighten infection susceptibility. Precision antifungal therapy guided by MDT expertise and pharmacological monitoring may improve outcomes in this rare and high-risk population.

Keywords: Multidrug Management, CSF1R-Related Hereditary Leukoencephalopathy, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids, Invasive fungal disease

Received: 01 Jul 2025; Accepted: 10 Nov 2025.

Copyright: © 2025 LU, Jia, Luan, Zhang, Wu, Zhao, Zhou, Fu, Yang, Cao, Zhang and Guo. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence:
Li Cao, caoli2000@yeah.net
Jianping Zhang, zhangjianping1997@126.com
Cheng Guo, guopharm@126.com

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