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[An overview on Trichosporon asahii and its infections]

Gülşen Hazırolan1

  • 1Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital, 1st Microbiology Clinic, Ankara, Turkey. gcetin@hacettepe.edu.tr

Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni
|November 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Trichosporon infections, particularly invasive trichosporonosis caused by Trichosporon asahii, are increasingly common in immunocompromised patients. Current antifungal treatments show limited efficacy, highlighting the need for improved therapeutic strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Microbiology

Context:

  • Trichosporon species are emerging fungal pathogens causing superficial, mucosal, and life-threatening systemic infections.
  • Disseminated Trichosporon infections are increasingly reported, particularly in patients with hematologic malignancy, undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, or organ transplantation.
  • Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon mucoides are the primary species implicated in invasive disease.

Purpose:

  • To review the general characteristics of Trichosporon asahii.
  • To summarize the clinical manifestations and challenges in diagnosing and treating Trichosporon infections.
  • To discuss the current therapeutic landscape and antifungal drug efficacy against T. asahii.

Summary:

  • Trichosporon infections encompass a spectrum from superficial to invasive disease, with disseminated forms posing significant mortality risks.
  • Invasive trichosporonosis, especially due to T. asahii, is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality rates.
  • Antifungal susceptibility testing reveals inadequate fungicidal activity of amphotericin B and high minimum inhibitory concentrations for echinocandins against T. asahii.

Impact:

  • This review highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties associated with Trichosporon infections.
  • It underscores the limited efficacy of conventional antifungal agents, necessitating the exploration of alternative treatments.
  • Triazole antifungal agents are currently considered the preferred treatment option for Trichosporon infections, though challenges remain.

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