Scedosporium and Lomentospora: an updated overview of underrated opportunists

Med Mycol. 2018 Apr 1;56(suppl_1):102-125. doi: 10.1093/mmy/myx113.

Abstract

Species of Scedosporium and Lomentospora are considered as emerging opportunists, affecting immunosuppressed and otherwise debilitated patients, although classically they are known from causing trauma-associated infections in healthy individuals. Clinical manifestations range from local infection to pulmonary colonization and severe invasive disease, in which mortality rates may be over 80%. These unacceptably high rates are due to the clinical status of patients, diagnostic difficulties, and to intrinsic antifungal resistance of these fungi. In consequence, several consortia have been founded to increase research efforts on these orphan fungi. The current review presents recent findings and summarizes the most relevant points, including the Scedosporium/Lomentospora taxonomy, environmental distribution, epidemiology, pathology, virulence factors, immunology, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Ascomycota / classification
  • Ascomycota / drug effects
  • Ascomycota / genetics
  • Ascomycota / physiology*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal / genetics*
  • Ecology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Molecular Typing
  • Mycoses / diagnosis
  • Mycoses / microbiology*
  • Mycoses / pathology
  • Mycoses / therapy
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Opportunistic Infections / pathology
  • Opportunistic Infections / therapy
  • Scedosporium / classification
  • Scedosporium / drug effects
  • Scedosporium / genetics
  • Scedosporium / physiology*
  • Surgical Procedures, Operative
  • Virulence Factors

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Virulence Factors