TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2007//
TI  - Scedosporium apiospermum infection after near-drowning
JO  - Mycoses
A1  - Katragkou, Aspasia
A1  - Dotis, John
A1  - Kotsiou, Maria
A1  - Tamiolaki, Maria
A1  - Roilides, Emmanuel
SP  - 412
EP  - 421
VL  - 50
IS  - 5
N2  - Scedosporium apiospermum and its teleomorph (sexual form) Pseudallescheria boydii are ubiquitous saprophytic fungi, which under specific conditions, such as near-drowning, may cause therapy-refractory and life-threatening infections. We reviewed 22 cases (eight children and 14 adults) of S. apiospermum infection after near-drowning reported in the literature including an additional paediatric case from our institution. Scedosporiosis after near-drowning was associated with high mortality (16/23, 70%) even in immunocompetent hosts. It affected mainly young (mean age 24 years) and immunocompetent (83% with no apparent immune defect) males (male to female ratio 2.5 : 1). Scedosporiosis after near-drowning was a slow progressive disease (mean survival time 87 days) involving virtually all body organs. However, central nervous system (CNS) dissemination predominated (21/23, 91%) presenting mainly as multiple brain abscesses (15/23, 65%). All 23 patients showed preceding clinical and/or radiological evidence of lung disease indicating the mode of invasion. Diagnosis was delayed (median time to diagnosis 28 days) and was made by culture (16/23, 69.5%) or culture and tissue examination (7/23, 30.5%). The majority of the patients (20/23, 87%) received antifungal treatment and underwent neurosurgery. While the optimal treatment remains undefined, the most recent reports indicated voriconazole as a potentially effective option. Better knowledge of scedosporiosis after near-drowning could lead to improved intervention and ultimately to more favourable outcome.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0933-7407
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01388.x
ID  - ref1
ER  -