Update on the Genus Trichosporon

Abstract

Trichosporon spp. are widely distributed in nature and can occasionally belong to the human microbiota. For many years, the unique species of the genus, Trichosporon beigelli, was only known as an environmental and saprophytic fungus occasionally found as the etiological agent of white piedra. However, case reports of invasive trichosporonosis have been frequently published and the genus is currently considered the second most common agent of yeasts disseminated infections. Based on molecular analysis, the taxon T. beigelli was replaced by several species and the taxonomy of the genus was progressively modified. Despite the reported increase of Trichosporon infections refractory to conventional antifungal drugs, there are only a few studies investigating in vitro susceptibility of Trichosporon spp. to new compounds. Difficulties on different species identification as well as the lack of standardized sensitivity tests in vitro, contribute to the limited information available on epidemiology, diagnosis and therapeutics of trichosporonosis.

Cultivation of Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans in sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolyzate

“…Hickey et al (2009) have found T. mycotoxinivorans to be a novel respiratory pathogen in patients with cystic fibrosis. Together, these findings suggest a cosmopolitan habitat and opportunist pathogenicity, which has also been described by Chagas-Neto et al (2008) as common features of this genus. This paper is the first to document the presence of Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans in Carabidae gut in the central Amazon rainforest.…”

Inhibitory effect of essential oils against Trichosporon ovoides causing Piedra Hair Infection

“…On the other hand, White Piedra, caused by other Trichosporon species, occurs in semitropical and temperate countries. Trichosporon genus is subdivided into six distinct human pathogenic species of which Trichosporon ovoides, Trichosporon inkin, Trichosporon mucoides and Trichosporon asahii are linked to White Piedra (2). Black Piedra is characterized by the presence of firm black, hard, gritty nodules which are actually a mass of fungus cells on the hair shaft.…”

White piedra: molecular identification of Trichosporon inkin in members of the same family

“…Humidity, hyperhidrosis, and poor personal hygiene are important predisposing factors 2 . The Trichosporon genus has undergone extensive taxonomic reevaluation 3,4 . Traditional taxonomy based on morphological, ecologic, and physiological aspects is used to group the genus Trichosporon, which usually generates inconsistent results.…”

“…Universal primers, ITS4 and ITS5, are sufficiently discriminatory for the identification of a considerable number of species of the genus Trichosporon 15 . It is worth mentioning that the genus Trichosporon is not only the agent of white piedra but also the second most commonly reported cause of disseminated yeast infection in humans, mainly in immunosuppressed patients 4 .…”