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Published on: February 28, 2019
Scedosporium aurantiacum is as virulent as S. prolificans, and shows strain-specific virulence differences, in a
Azian Harun1, Carolina Serena, Felix Gilgado
1Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead Millennium Institute, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Abstract:
Several Scedosporium species are clinically important emerging pathogens. Scedosporium prolificans is reported to be the most virulent of the species, while the recently described species Scedosporium aurantiacum, which accounts for a substantial proportion of Australian clinical isolates is capable of causing a range of serious infections. In addition, environmental surveys have revealed a high prevalence of S. aurantiacum in the urban Sydney region. This study was conducted to assess the virulence of selected S. aurantiacum strains recovered from patients who are colonized or have invasive disease, as well as those from environmental sources, in comparison with S. prolificans. PCR fingerprinting with the primer M13 revealed high genetic variation among the S. aurantiacum strains. We evaluated the virulence of eight S. aurantiacum and two S. prolificans strains in a murine model using an infectious dose of 2 × 10⁵ conidia. S. aurantiacum was noted to be as virulent as S. prolificans, causing death in 60-100% of mice (P > 0.05). There were significant strain-specific virulence differences (P < 0.005), indicating a possible link between genotype and virulence in S. aurantiacum.
Insights
Scedosporium aurantiacum, a significant emerging fungal pathogen, demonstrates virulence comparable to Scedosporium prolificans in a mouse model. Genetic variation exists within S. aurantiacum strains, potentially influencing their disease-causing capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Scedosporium species are emerging fungal pathogens with clinical significance.
- Scedosporium prolificans is highly virulent, while Scedosporium aurantiacum is increasingly identified in Australian clinical isolates and environmental samples.
- S. aurantiacum causes serious infections, prompting investigation into its pathogenic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the virulence of Scedosporium aurantiacum strains with Scedosporium prolificans.
- To assess clinical and environmental S. aurantiacum isolates in a murine model.
- To investigate potential genotype-virulence links in S. aurantiacum.
Main Methods:
- Collected Scedosporium aurantiacum and Scedosporium prolificans strains from clinical and environmental sources.
- Utilized PCR fingerprinting with the M13 primer to analyze genetic variation in S. aurantiacum.
- Evaluated fungal virulence in a murine model using an infectious dose of 2 × 10⁵ conidia.
Main Results:
- Scedosporium aurantiacum exhibited virulence comparable to Scedosporium prolificans, causing 60-100% mortality in mice.
- Significant strain-specific differences in virulence were observed among S. aurantiacum isolates (P < 0.005).
- High genetic variation was detected within S. aurantiacum strains via PCR fingerprinting.
Conclusions:
- Scedosporium aurantiacum is a virulent fungal pathogen, posing a significant threat comparable to S. prolificans.
- Strain-specific virulence variations suggest a correlation between genotype and pathogenicity in S. aurantiacum.
- Further research is warranted to understand the genetic basis of S. aurantiacum virulence.
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