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Comparative virulence of Scedosporium species in animal models
1Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. nwezemeka@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Scedosporium species are an emerging opportunist group of fungi that have been found to cause infections in both immunocompetent and non-immunocompetent individuals. The infections are not regularly distributed among different countries of the world either because of improper identification or other geographical reasons. Strange as it may, disseminated systemic infections have only been reported in some specific countries. We used a mouse model of disseminated infection to assess if strains from Nigeria were virulent and compared it to a few other strains from other countries. S. apiospermum isolated from Nigeria were clearly less virulent than those obtained elsewhere. This may be the reason why this group of fungi has not been associated with specific clinical problems in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.
Insights
Nigerian Scedosporium apiospermum strains show lower virulence in a mouse model compared to international strains. This finding may explain the lower incidence of Scedosporium infections in Nigeria and Africa.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
Background:
- Scedosporium species are opportunistic fungi causing infections in immunocompetent and non-immunocompetent individuals.
- Geographical distribution of Scedosporium infections is uneven, possibly due to identification issues or other factors.
- Disseminated systemic infections are reported predominantly in specific countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the virulence of Scedosporium strains isolated from Nigeria using a mouse model.
- To compare the virulence of Nigerian Scedosporium strains with strains from other global regions.
Main Methods:
- A mouse model of disseminated infection was employed.
- Virulence assessment of Scedosporium apiospermum strains from Nigeria and other countries.
Main Results:
- Scedosporium apiospermum strains isolated from Nigeria exhibited significantly lower virulence.
- Nigerian strains demonstrated reduced pathogenicity compared to international Scedosporium isolates.
Conclusions:
- The reduced virulence of Nigerian Scedosporium apiospermum strains may explain their infrequent association with clinical issues in Nigeria and Africa.
- Further research is needed to understand the geographical variations in Scedosporium virulence and clinical impact.
