Scedosporium species infections and treatments

W J Steinbach1, J R Perfect

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA. stein022@mc.duke.edu

Insights

Scedosporium species infections are challenging due to antifungal resistance, particularly in immunocompromised patients. This review covers diagnosis and treatment, highlighting newer antifungal therapies for these difficult-to-treat infections.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Scedosporium species are increasingly identified in patient infections.
  • These fungi often exhibit resistance to conventional antifungal drugs, notably amphotericin B.
  • Scedosporium prolificans presents particular challenges due to its limited susceptibility to existing treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of Scedosporium species infections.
  • To discuss the microbiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic approaches.
  • To review current and emerging therapeutic strategies for Scedosporium infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Scedosporium species.
  • Analysis of microbiological, epidemiological, and clinical data.
  • Evaluation of in vitro, animal model, and clinical treatment data.

Main Results:

  • Scedosporium infections are becoming more prevalent in diverse patient groups.
  • Established antifungal agents show limited efficacy against many Scedosporium species.
  • Emerging antifungal therapies show promise for managing these recalcitrant infections.

Conclusions:

  • Effective management of Scedosporium infections requires accurate diagnostics and tailored treatment.
  • Newer antifungal agents are crucial for addressing the resistance challenges posed by Scedosporium species.
  • Further research into novel therapies is warranted for Scedosporium infections.

Related Concept Videos

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
Cryptococcal Meningitis01:27

Cryptococcal Meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection predominantly associated with HIV/AIDS, accounting for over 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. However, it also affects individuals with other forms of immunosuppression, including those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, organ transplant recipients, patients with innate immunodeficiencies, and individuals with hematological disorders. The infection is caused mainly by Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...