Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 24, 2026
08:20
Sexual Development and Ascospore Discharge in Fusarium graminearum
Published on: March 29, 2012
Scedosporium prolificans fungemia
S Elsayed1, R Lannigan, I Chin-Yee
1Department of Clinical Microbiology and.
Summary
Scedosporium prolificans fungemia is a rare but severe complication in acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients undergoing chemotherapy. Despite antifungal treatment, the infection proved fatal in this case, highlighting treatment challenges.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Hematology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapse necessitates intensive chemotherapy.
- Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia increases susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
- Fungal infections pose a significant threat to immunocompromised patients.
Observation:
- A young woman with relapsed ALL developed fever and neutropenia during reinduction chemotherapy.
- Blood cultures revealed fungal elements on Gram stain.
- Fungi were isolated and identified as Scedosporium prolificans.
Findings:
- Scedosporium prolificans fungemia was diagnosed in the patient.
- Treatment with fluconazole and amphotericin B was initiated.
- The patient's condition deteriorated, leading to mortality.
Implications:
- Scedosporium prolificans represents a challenging pathogen in immunocompromised hosts.
- Current antifungal therapies may be insufficient against this specific fungus.
- Further research into effective treatment strategies for Scedosporium prolificans infections is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Fungal 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...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:23Skin 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...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:28Fungal 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...
01:29Staphylococcal 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...
01:26Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota
Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...