Fatal Scopulariopsis brevicaulis infection in a paediatric stem-cell transplant patient treated with voriconazole and caspofungin and a review of Scopulariopsis infections in immunocompromised patients

Scopulariopsis, a Poorly Known Opportunistic Fungus: Spectrum of Species in Clinical Samples and In Vitro Responses to Antifungal Drugs

“…Histopathology has limited significance in diagnostics since in tissue, the fungi show features similar to those of other more common pathogenic molds, such as Aspergillus or Fusarium species (18,20). The sequencing of the ribosomal operon has been used for the identification of clinical strains of Scopulariopsis, although the results may not be reliable because of insufficient availability of reference sequences in the public databases (17,18,21,22).…”

Fatal Scopulariopsis brumptii in a Pediatric Immunocompromised Host

“…Cutaneous manifestations present as erythematous macules, papules or plaques evolving into ulcers with central black eschar and peripheral erythema [1,9,10]. Granulomatous lesions with or without central necrosis can be seen [3,9].…”

“…Granulomatous lesions with or without central necrosis can be seen [3,9]. Scopula translates to branches or small broom in Latin, making reference to the histologic appearance of this mold [10]. When cultured, S. brevicaulis produces a brush-like arrangement, as opposed to the single branching annellides found in S. brumptii.…”

Disseminated Scopulariopsis brevicaulis infection in an allogeneic stem cell recipient

“…To our knowledge, Scopulariopsis-positive hemoculture has been reported in only one case. 7 As post-mortem examination was not performed, we do not know the origin of the hepatic nodules, but in two reported cases, autopsy showed disseminated infection in the lung, brain, kidney and liver. 2 In the present case, direct microscopical examinations and culture on repeated sputum samples led to the detection of mycelium.…”

“…2,3 Tomography displayed pulmonary infiltrates (2/6), 2,4 or pulmonary lesions evoking Aspergillus infection (3/6). [4][5][6] It is noticeable that in three cases [5][6][7] skin lesions appeared before the pulmonary symptoms arose. In two cases sinonasal localizations, diagnosed by biopsies, have been reported, 2 and in one case the sinus localization was linked to a brain abscess.…”