21-year retrospective study of the prevalence of Scopulariopsis brevicaulis in patients suspected of superficial mycoses

Abstract

IntroductionIn the genus Scopulariopsis, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis is the most common aetiological agent of infections in humans. It usually affects nails and is one of the commonest moulds associated with onychomycoses. Other forms of infections (skin, subcutaneous, deep tissues, and disseminated infections) have also been described.AimTo examine the prevalence of S. brevicaulis in clinical materials obtained from patients suspected of keratinized tissues mycoses.Material and methodsThe analysis of the prevalence of S. brevicaulis in clinical specimens was based on mycological test's results carried out for patients who were referred with a suspicion of superficial mycoses to the Department of Mycology, Chair of Microbiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College from 1992 till 2012.ResultsIn the years 1992–2012 16,815 clinical samples (nail scrapings, nail swabs, skin scrapings, skin swabs, hair) were collected. Pathogenic fungi were detected in 7193 samples and S. brevicaulis was present in 255 (3.5%). The prevalence of S. brevicaulis in males and females was comparable. The species was most often isolated from toenails (80%), both from males and females. In the analysed period we observed a decrease in the prevalence of S. brevicaulis. In most cases (60%) S. brevicaulis occurred alone in 40% of S. brevicaulis positive cultures, other fungi were also isolated. The fungi most frequently isolated with S. brevicaulis were Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Penicillium sp., Candida sp., and Aspergillus sp.ConclusionsScopulariopsis brevicaulis is not a common cause of superficial fungal infections of keratinized tissues, but is a typical mould associated with toenail onychomycosis. A proper identification of this species in onychomycoses is essential for the implementation of effective antifungal therapy.

Identification of Zoophilic Dermatophytes Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

“…Although S. brevicaulis is a mold of the Microascus genus, it was grouped into one of the main clades of the MSP-dendrogram and not as a real outgroup. S. brevicaulis is regularly isolated from nail infections and, hence, typically associated with mold-related onychomycosis; keratinolytic activities are well reported ( Issakainen et al., 2007 ; Macura and Skóra, 2015 ). Although the majority of the extracted proteins for MALDI-TOF MS are ribosomal proteins rather than secreted proteases, this similar lifestyle compared to dermatophytes may explain the position of S. brevicaulis in the dendrogram.…”

Cutaneous Hyalohyphomycosis and Its Atypical Clinical Presentations in Immunosuppressed Patients

“…In humans, Scapulariopsis spp. are mainly associated with superficial infections of keratinized tissues, but they are also causative agents of cutaneous, subcutaneous, and deep-tissue infections and disseminated infections [66].…”

“…Since Scopulariopsis spp. are known to be keratinophilic, S. bravicaulis has proven to be one of the predominant species among non-dermatophytic filamentous fungi in onychomycoses [66]. A retrospective analysis in the Croatian population showed that S. brevicaulis was isolated from nail, skin, and scalp scrapings, and most of the patients from whom the specimens were obtained lived in rural settings, working as farmers in close contact with the soil and domestic animals.…”

Molecular Methods For Diagnostics Of Dermatomycoses – Review Of Available Techniques And Evaluation Of Their Advantages And Disadvantages In Implementation For In Routine Use

“…Na uwagę zasługuje fakt, że po raz pierwszy potwierdzono metodami molekularnymi, że czynnikiem etiologicznym onychomykozy mogą być grzyby pleśniowe, takie jak Fusarium spp., Acremonium spp., Aspergillus spp. i Scopulariopsis spp., które dotychczas nie były dostrzegane i uważane za kontaminację próbek dermatologicznych przesyłanych do laboratorium [37,46,50].…”