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Published on: September 20, 2024

Alternaria infections: laboratory diagnosis and relevant clinical features

F J Pastor1, J Guarro

  • 1Unitat de Microbiologia, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain. franciscojavier.pastor@urv.cat

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|August 30, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Alternaria species cause opportunistic human infections, primarily skin and nail infections. Treatment is generally effective with antifungals like itraconazole, and sometimes steroid reduction.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • The genus Alternaria comprises melanized fungi responsible for opportunistic human infections.
  • A review of literature identified 210 human alternariosis cases from 1933 to present.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the clinical manifestations, risk factors, and treatment outcomes of human alternariosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of reported human alternariosis cases.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations, associated risk factors, and therapeutic responses.

Main Results:

  • Cutaneous/subcutaneous infections (74.3%) are most common, followed by oculomycosis, rhinosinusitis, and onychomycosis.
  • Immunosuppression, organ transplantation, Cushing's syndrome, and exposure to soil/garbage are key risk factors.
  • Conventional antifungals, particularly itraconazole, are effective; voriconazole shows promise for oculomycosis.

Conclusions:

  • Alternariosis presents diverse clinical forms, with skin and nail infections being predominant.
  • Risk factors vary by infection type, often involving immunosuppression or environmental exposures.
  • Most cases respond well to antifungal therapy, with specific agents recommended for different manifestations.

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