Scedosporium apiospermum is a filamentous fungus belonging to the order Microascales and family Microascaceae. It is commonly found in various environments such as soil, dust, and water, and can cause opportunistic infections in humans, usually in individuals with compromised immune systems or underlying lung diseases.
This fungus is characterized by its hyaline septate hyphae, which appear as thin, branching filaments under microscopic examination. The branching is typically dichotomous, where hyphae divide into two equal branches. S. apiospermum produces conidia, which are asexual spores, in chains or clusters. The conidia are small, smooth-walled, and usually round or oval-shaped.
In terms of its clinical significance, S. apiospermum can cause a range of infections, including localized cutaneous, subcutaneous, and invasive infections. Common clinical manifestations of infection include skin and soft tissue lesions, bone and joint infections, and invasive lung disease. In immunocompromised individuals, it can also cause disseminated infections, often affecting multiple organs.
Treatment of S. apiospermum infections can be challenging as the fungus is often resistant to many antifungal agents. However, some antifungal drugs, such as voriconazole, posaconazole, and combination therapy with terbinafine and itraconazole, have shown efficacy against this fungus.
In summary, Scedosporium apiospermum is a filamentous fungus found in various environments, capable of causing opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. It is characterized by hyaline septate hyphae and produces small, round conidia. Treatment options for infections caused by this fungus can be limited due to its resistance to
