Disseminated Ochroconis gallopavum infection in a renal transplant recipient: the first reported case and a review of the literature

Phaeohyphomycosis in China

Background

Due to more attentions paid to melanized fungi over the past few decades and under the background of the global coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic (COVID-19) the fact that the virus itself and the immunosuppressive agents such as glucocorticoids can further increase the risk of infections of deep mycoses, the number of patients with phaeohyphomycosis (PHM) has a substantial increase. Their spectrum is broad and the early diagnosis and treatments are extremely sticky. This study aims to more comprehensively understand the clinical features of phaeohyphomycosis in China over 35 years and to establish a more applicable systematical classification and severity grades of lesions to guide treatments and prognosis.

Methods

We reviewed 174 cases of proven phaeohyphomycosis reported in Chinese and English language literature from 1987 to 2021 and we also made the accurate classification definitions and detailed information about the epidemiology, species of clinical dematiaceous fungi, minimum inhibitory concentration values, clinical features, treatments, and prognosis.

Results

The mortality of cerebral, disseminated and pulmonary phaeohyphomycosis are 55%, 36%, and 25%. Nearly 19% of patients had poor quality of life caused by the complications such as disability, disfigurements, and blindness. The overall misdiagnosis rate of phaeohyphomycosis was 74%. Moderate to severe rashes are accounting for 82% of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis. The areas of the head and face are mostly affected accounting for 16% of severe rashes. Nearly 30% of invasive infections of phaeohyphomycosis are triggered by recurrent lesions. Voriconazole, itraconazole, amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB-DOC), and terbinafine were most commonly used but diagnosis and treatments of phaeohyphomycosis remain challenging in reality.

Conclusions

Our classifications are likely to be more practical and easier to popularize, and there are still also plenty of characteristics in these non-specific lesions. There’re no significant variations in cure rates, or death rates between three grades of lesions. But patients with severe rashes have longer courses and lower effective rates.

Disseminated Verruconis gallopava infection in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus in Japan: A case report, literature review, and autopsy case

Disseminated Verruconis gallopava infection is often reported in patients with severe immunodeficiency, such as those who have received an organ transplant or have hematological malignancies. The present report describes the first case of disseminated V. gallopava in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who used FK506 (Tacrolimus). In this case, β-D glucan was useful for diagnosis.

The High Diversity and Variable Susceptibility of Clinically Relevant Acremonium-Like Species in China

Acremonium-like fungi are emerging as important opportunistic pathogens in cutaneous, subcutaneous and serious invasive infections, especially in immunocompromised and debilitated individuals, and Acremonium infections are usually resistant to antifungal therapy. Several molecular studies have demonstrated that many species in the genus Acremonium are polyphyletic, and currently, the genus is restricted to the family Bionectriaceae (Hypocreales). Molecular identification and in vitro antifungal susceptibility tests of Acremonium-like fungi isolated from human clinical specimens in China were performed in this study. Three genetic loci: the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (LSU), ribosomal internal transcribed spacer and elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α), were used to assess their taxonomic position for correct identification among various species. The multilocus study of twenty-eight strains showed that these strains were distributed in three main lineages: egyptiacum, Cordycipitaceae and Sarocladium; Acremonium egyptiacum and Sarocladium kiliense were the main species of these strains, and three isolates were too phylogenetically distant to be considered undescribed species. Relatively low minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.25-2 and 0.031-0.5 μg/mL were found for voriconazole and terbinafine for most species, respectively. Varied antifungal activities of ciclopirox olamine, amorolfine and posaconazole were found in our study. However, no antifungal effect of sertaconazole, itraconazole or fluconazole was observed against most strains. This is the first study on Acremonium-like species diversity by multilocus sequence analyses and antifungal susceptibility of clinically relevant isolates in China.

MIC Distributions and Evaluation of Fungicidal Activity for Amphotericin B, Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole and Caspofungin and 20 Species of Pathogenic Filamentous Fungi Determined Using the CLSI Broth Microdilution Method

For filamentous fungi (moulds), species-specific interpretive breakpoints and epidemiological cut-off values (ECVs) have only been proposed for a limited number of fungal species-antifungal agent combinations, with the result that clinical breakpoints are lacking for most emerging mould pathogens. In the current study, we have compiled minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data for 4869 clinical mould isolates and present full MIC distributions for amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, and caspofungin with these isolates which comprise 20 species/genera. In addition, we present the results of an assessment of the fungicidal activity of these same five antifungal agents against a panel of 123 mould isolates comprising 16 of the same species.

Emerging infections caused by non-Aspergillus filamentous fungi

There are three broad groups of non-Aspergillus moulds: the mucormycetes, the hyalohyphomycetes and the phaeohyphomycetes. Infections with these pathogens are increasingly reported, particularly in the context of increasing use of immunosuppressant agents and improved diagnostics. The epidemiology of non-Aspergillus mould infections varies with geography, climate and level of immunosuppression. Skin and soft-tissue infections are the predominant presentation in the immunocompetent host and pulmonary and other invasive infections in the immunocompromised host. The more common non-Aspergillus moulds include Rhizopus, Mucor, Fusarium and Scedosporium species; however, other emerging pathogens are Rasamsonia and Verruconis species, which are discussed in this article. Outbreaks of non-Aspergillus mould infections have been increasingly reported, with contaminated medical supplies and natural disasters as common sources. Currently culture and other conventional diagnostic methods are the cornerstone of diagnosis. Molecular methods to directly detect and identify mould pathogens in tissue and body fluids are increasingly used.

Necrotizing mycosis due to Verruconis gallopava in an immunocompetent patient

Verruconis gallopava is a dematiaceous mould usually causing saprophytic infection in immunosuppressed host. Only a few cases have been published even in immunocompromised states. We present a rare case of pulmonary involvement in an immunocompetent patient with recurrent disease. The mid-aged woman had no evidence of any disease causing impaired immune response. Recurrent disease shows pulmonary infiltrates and symptoms of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis. We describe an emerging pathogen that has been found in an immunocompetent host. Eradication was not possible despite the use of several different antifungal drugs. Further recurrence of infection in the described patient is probable.

Antifungal susceptibility patterns of opportunistic fungi in the genera Verruconis and Ochroconis

Species of Verruconis and species of Ochroconis are dematiaceous fungi generally found in the environment but having the ability to infect humans, dogs, cats, poultry, and fish. This study presents the antifungal susceptibility patterns of these fungi at the species level. Forty strains originating from clinical and environmental sources were phylogenetically identified at the species level by using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (rDNA ITS). In vitro antifungal susceptibility testing was performed against eight antifungals, using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) broth microdilution method. The geometric mean MICs for amphotericin B (AMB), flucytosine (5FC), fluconazole (FLC), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), and posaconazole (POS) and minimum effective concentrations (MECs) for caspofungin (CAS) and anidulafungin (AFG) across the Ochroconis and Verruconis species were as follows, in increasing order. For Verruconis species, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.04; POS, 0.25; ITC, 0.37; AMB, 0.50; CAS, 0.65; VRC, 0.96; 5FC, 10.45; and FLC, 47.25. For Ochroconis species, the values (μg/ml) were as follows: AFG, 0.06; POS, 0.11; CAS, 0.67; VRC, 2.76; ITC, 3.94; AMB, 5.68; 5FC, 34.48; and FLC, 61.33. Antifungal susceptibility of Ochroconis and Verruconis was linked with phylogenetic distance and thermotolerance. Echinocandins and POS showed the greatest in vitro activity, providing possible treatment options for Ochroconis and Verruconis infections.

Melanized fungi in human disease

Melanized or dematiaceous fungi are associated with a wide variety of infectious syndromes, including chromoblastomycosis, mycetoma, and phaeohyphomycosis. [corrected]. Many are soil organisms and are generally distributed worldwide, though certain species appear to have restricted geographic ranges. Though they are uncommon causes of disease, melanized fungi have been increasingly recognized as important pathogens, with most reports occurring in the past 20 years. The spectrum of diseases with which they are associated has also broadened and includes allergic disease, superficial and deep local infections, pneumonia, brain abscess, and disseminated infection. For some infections in immunocompetent individuals, such as allergic fungal sinusitis and brain abscess, they are among the most common etiologic fungi. Melanin is a likely virulence factor for these fungi. Diagnosis relies on careful microscopic and pathological examination, as well as clinical assessment of the patient, as these fungi are often considered contaminants. Therapy varies depending upon the clinical syndrome. Local infection may be cured with excision alone, while systemic disease is often refractory to therapy. Triazoles such as voriconazole, posaconazole, and itraconazole have the most consistent in vitro activity. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathogenesis and optimal treatment of these uncommon infections.

Protothecosis after liver transplantation

Prototheca species are unicellular algae of low virulence that are rarely associated with human infections. We report a liver transplant recipient with disseminated protothecosis and review the literature on this unusual opportunistic infection in transplant recipients. Of 9 cases, including ours, 5 had a localized infection, and 4 had disseminated protothecosis. Seven cases were due to Prototheca wickerhamii, and 2 were due to Prototheca zopfii. Overall mortality in transplant recipients with Prototheca infections was 88% (7/8). All 4 cases of disseminated protothecosis died despite therapy with amphotericin B. Posttransplant protothecosis is a rare but significant infection that is associated with a grave prognosis.

Pathogenicity of Ochroconis gallopava isolated from hot springs in Japan and a review of published reports

Four strains of Ochroconis gallopava from 3 out of 15 Japanese hot springs were isolated. Colonies of the hot spring isolates were uniformly floccose and dark olive green on the surface and dark brown on their reverse side on potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates, however, they became felty, flat, and brownish-black, and produced a reddish-brown pigment after several times of subculture at room temperature. Shapes and sizes of conidia of the four strains were individual, while the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences showed 99.7% identity in the GenBank database. The DNA pattern of the hot spring isolates amplified by species specific loop mediated isothermal amplification method were as the same pattern as that of a clinical isolate. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungal agents to O. gallopava isolated from the hot springs were ranged from 0.5 to 1 microg/ml in amphotericin B, 1 to 16 microg/ml in flucytosine, 0.125 to 0.25 microg/ml in itraconazole, 1 to 4 microg/ml in miconazole, 16 to 64 microg/ml in flconazole and 0.03 to 0.5 microg/ml in micafungin. The isolates had fatal outcome in experimentally infected mice intravenously with severe invasiveness to brains and kidneys. These findings suggested that O. gallopava habitats in hot springs could be one of sources for infection.

Fungal infections in solid organ transplantation

Fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients continue to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. account for most invasive fungal infections. The incidence of fungal infection varies with type of solid organ transplant. Liver transplant recipients have highest reported incidence of candida infections while lung transplant recipients have highest rate of Aspergillus infections. Recent epidemiological studies suggest the emergence of resistant strains of candida as well as mycelial fungi other than Aspergillus in these patients. The current review incorporates the recent changes in the epidemiology of fungal infections in solid organ transplant recipients and highlights the newer data on the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of fungal infections in these patients.

Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis due toOchroconis gallopavumin the setting of advanced HIV infection

Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis is a rare and typically fatal infection caused by members of the dematiaceous fungi, and occurs almost universally in the setting of immunocompromise. We herein report a case of systemic phaeohyphomycosis caused by Ochroconis gallopavum in a patient with advanced HIV disease. A possible risk factor for this infection in our patient was heavy marijuana use. This case highlights both the diagnostic and management challenges posed by these infections. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of disseminated phaeohyphomycosis due to Ochroconis gallopavum in a patient with HIV.

Disseminated Ochroconis gallopavum infection in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case report and review of the literature on hematological malignancies

Disseminated fungal infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with hematological malignancies. Ochroconis gallopavum is a dematiaceous and thermotolerant fungus that causes opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. About only 30 cases of this organism infection have been reported worldwide. We report a disseminated Ochroconis gallopavum infection in a B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient. In spite of intensive anti-fungal treatment, no improvement in the clinical condition was observed and the patient died 4 months after diagnosis of the infection. Ochroconis gallopavum infection is a potentially fatal disease in hematological malignancies.

Management of rare fungal infections

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fungal infections caused by rare fungi have increased in recent years. This may be due to the increase in the number of immunocompromised patients. Some rare fungi are geographically restricted, but with globalization and travel these infections are seen worldwide. The aim of this review is to address recent advances in the management of some uncommon fungal infections.

RECENT FINDINGS

Dematiaceous fungi (Phaeohyphomycetes) have been reported in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. Cerebral involvement and disseminated disease are associated with high mortality rates. Surgical excision and broad-spectrum triazole antifungal therapy are associated with better outcomes. Mucormycosis in diabetic and immune-suppressed patients is associated with high mortality. Early radical surgical debridement and amphotericin B-based regimens are a key to success. Basidiobolomycosis has recently been reported to cause chronic granulomatous infection of the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment with itraconazole and surgical resection is associated with favourable outcomes. Invasive fusariosis in cancer patients is typically resistant to most antifungal agents, but recent data have suggested a response to voriconazole. Voriconazole also demonstrated activity against Scedosporium apiospermum, but was less active against Scedosporium prolificans. Amphotericin B and itraconazole are currently the treatments of choice for the southeast Asian fungus, Penicillium marneffie.

SUMMARY

Parallel to the increased number of patients susceptible to invasive infections has been an increase in the number of broad-spectrum antifungal agents allowing for better therapeutic options. High-quality data are lacking because of the rarity of such infections. In future, new triazoles and echinocandins will probably replace amphotericin B as the first therapeutic choice for many uncommon fungal infections.

Emerging fungal diseases: the importance of the host

More yeasts and molds are now recognized to cause more human disease than ever before. This development is not due to a change in the virulence of these fungi, but rather to changes in the human host. These changes include immunosuppression secondary to the pandemic of HIV, the use of life-saving advances in chemotherapy and organ transplantation, and the use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive agents to treat a variety of diseases. Fungi that were once considered common saprophytes are now recognized as potential pathogens in these patients. This situation necessitates better communication than ever between the clinician, pathologist, and clinical mycologist to ensure the prompt and accurate determination of the cause of fungal diseases.