Epidemiology and outcome of Scedosporium prolificans infection, a review of 162 cases

Med Mycol. 2009 Jun;47(4):359-70. doi: 10.1080/13693780802524506.

Abstract

Scedosporium prolificans is a truly emerging fungal pathogen. It has only been recognized as a human pathogen for 22 years and has been related with numerous infections in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. A search for cases in the literature was performed and a database was constructed. Cases were reviewed in order to analyse the epidemiology and outcome of infection. A total of 162 cases were included. The median age of patients was 45 years (ranging from a few months to 81 years), and 102 (63%) infections were diagnosed in males. Risk factors for scedosporiosis were malignancy, 74/162 (45.7%), cystic fibrosis, 19/172 (11.7%), and solid organ transplantation 14/162 (8.6%). The most common clinical presentations were disseminated infection, 72/162 cases (44.4%), pulmonary mycosis, 47/162 (29%), and bone and joint infections, 17/162 (10.4%). All disseminated infections afflicted patents with underlying diseases, primarily haematological malignancies (57/72 [80%]). Blood cultures were positive in 70% of patients suffering from disseminated mycosis. Neutropenia, fever and cerebral symptoms were independently related to the development of disseminated infection whereas recovery from aplasia was associated with a reduced risk. The overall mortality was 46.9% but mortality rate was 87.5% in patients with disseminated disease. Survival was independently associated with surgical excision and recovery from aplasia. Antifungal treatments were not related to a reduced risk of death. Infections caused by S. prolificans are life threatening in susceptible patients, and can be considered a truly emerging disease. Infections are difficult to treat since it is a multi-resistant species. Multicenter studies are essential with the aim of developing and disseminating appropriate techniques and protocols to treat this mycosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycoses / epidemiology*
  • Mycoses / microbiology
  • Mycoses / mortality
  • Mycoses / therapy*
  • Risk Factors
  • Scedosporium / drug effects
  • Scedosporium / isolation & purification*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents