Related Experiment Videos

Phaeohyphomycosis in transplant recipients: Results from the Transplant Associated Infection Surveillance Network

Todd P McCarty1, John W Baddley2, Thomas J Walsh3

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA tmccarty@uabmc.edu.

Medical Mycology
|April 25, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Transplant recipients face high risks of invasive fungal infections like phaeohyphomycosis. Stem cell transplant recipients experienced more disseminated disease and higher mortality compared to solid organ transplant recipients.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transplantation

Background:

  • Transplant recipients are highly susceptible to invasive fungal infections.
  • Phaeohyphomycosis, caused by environmental molds, presents diverse clinical manifestations, including skin lesions, pneumonia, CNS disease, fungemia, and disseminated infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of phaeohyphomycosis in stem cell transplant (SCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.
  • To identify risk factors and common pathogens associated with these infections.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from the Transplant Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET).
  • Inclusion of 56 patients with proven or probable phaeohyphomycosis from 15 centers.
  • Data collected on demographics, comorbidities, clinical presentation, treatment, and 3-month mortality.

Main Results:

  • Alternaria species was the most frequent pathogen (32%).
  • Disseminated disease occurred in 55.4% of patients.
  • Cutaneous infections were more common in SOT recipients (53.3% vs 23.1%), while pulmonary disease predominated in SCT recipients (57.7% vs 26.7%).
  • Median time to diagnosis was 358 days post-transplant, significantly shorter for SCT (100 days) than SOT (685 days).
  • Voriconazole and amphotericin B were common treatments.
  • Overall mortality was 25%, significantly higher in SCT (42%) than SOT (10%).

Conclusions:

  • Phaeohyphomycosis presents varied clinical patterns and outcomes in transplant recipients.
  • Significant differences exist in infection site, time to diagnosis, and mortality between SCT and SOT recipients.
  • Lipid formulations of amphotericin B and voriconazole are frequently used for treatment.
Keywords:
AlternariaExserohilumdematiaceous moldphaeohyphomycosis

Related Concept Videos

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
2.7K
Tissue Transplantation01:24

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...
1.3K
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal 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...
2.1K
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal 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...
749
Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure01:26

Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure

Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living...
851
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
1.5K