Acute respiratory distress caused by Neosartorya udagawae

Area of Science:

• Medical Mycology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Neosartorya species are emerging pathogens, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.
• These fungi can be morphologically similar to Aspergillus species, complicating identification.
• Invasive Neosartorya infections are increasingly reported, necessitating better diagnostic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first case of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by Neosartorya udagawae.
• To emphasize the diagnostic challenges posed by Neosartorya species.
• To define a novel clinical presentation of fungal infection.

Main Methods:

• Culture of respiratory specimens.
• Phenotypic identification (limited by sterile cultures).
• Molecular identification using DNA sequencing of ITS, calmodulin, and β-tubulin genes.

Main Results:

• Rapid growth of mold in respiratory cultures.
• Identification of Neosartorya udagawae via DNA sequencing.
• Development of ARDS in a previously healthy patient.

Conclusions:

• Neosartorya udagawae can cause severe respiratory illness, including ARDS, in seemingly healthy individuals.
• Molecular methods are crucial for accurate identification of Neosartorya species, especially when phenotypic methods fail.
• This case establishes a new clinical entity of ARDS attributed to Neosartorya sp. infection.