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Two cases of subcutaneous Scedosporium apiospermum infection treated with voriconazole

F Bosma1, A Voss, H W van Hamersvelt

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. F.Bosma@mmb.umcn.nl

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|August 20, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Two immunocompromised patients with Scedosporium apiospermum infections were successfully treated with voriconazole. Investigations found no common nosocomial source, suggesting independent infections rather than an outbreak.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Scedosporium apiospermum is an emerging opportunistic mold pathogen.
  • This fungus exhibits intrinsic resistance to many antifungal drugs.
  • Infections are particularly concerning in immunocompromised individuals.

Observation:

  • Two cases of S. apiospermum infection occurred within a two-week period in a hospital setting.
  • Both patients, despite the uncommon pathogen, were successfully treated with voriconazole.
  • A thorough investigation for a common nosocomial source was initiated.

Findings:

  • Environmental cultures did not yield Scedosporium apiospermum.
  • Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting revealed that the patient isolates were genotypically distinct.
  • A common nosocomial source for these two infections was deemed unlikely.

Implications:

  • Voriconazole demonstrates efficacy in treating Scedosporium apiospermum infections.
  • The findings suggest that S. apiospermum infections in immunocompromised patients may arise from independent sources rather than a single outbreak.
  • Further research into the epidemiology and treatment of S. apiospermum is warranted.

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