Experimental murine acremoniosis: an emerging opportunistic human infection

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Acremonium species are emerging fungal pathogens causing severe infections.
• Clinical relevance of Acremonium species necessitates virulence evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the virulence of three clinically relevant Acremonium species in a murine model.
• To compare the pathogenicity of Acremonium kiliense (Sarocladium kiliense), Acremonium sclerotigenum-A. egyptiacum complex, and Acremonium implicatum.

Main Methods:

• Murine model of disseminated infection using immunocompetent and immunosuppressed mice.
• Infection with two inocula concentrations of two strains for each species.
• Virulence markers included tissue burden, mortality rate, histopathology, and (1→3)-β-D-glucan levels.

Main Results:

• Acremonium species did not cause infection in immunocompetent mice.
• Severe infections were observed in immunosuppressed mice, primarily affecting the spleen.
• Sarocladium kiliense demonstrated the highest virulence among the tested Acremonium species, although overall virulence was generally low.

Conclusions:

• Acremonium species pose a significant threat to immunocompromised individuals.
• The spleen is a primary target organ for Acremonium infections in immunosuppressed hosts.
• Sarocladium kiliense exhibits greater virulence, guiding potential therapeutic interventions for Acremonium infections.