Time versus tissue: Timely identification of Scedosporium Rhinosinusitis in a post-COVID-19 case by MALDI-TOF MS leading to successful management

A Lateral-Flow Device for the Rapid Detection of Scedosporium Species

“…Current detection of infectious Scedosporium species relies on sophisticated laboratory tests, including (MALDI-TOF MS) [64] or molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [58,63]. While a potential diagnostic antigen (a 50-80 kDa peptidorhamnomannan (PRM)) from Scedosporium boydii has been reported [75], and mAbs raised against Scedosporium apiospermum PRM, their lack of specificity, cross-reacting with Candida spp., Histoplasma capsulatum, and Lomentospora prolificans [76], limits their use in diagnostic test development.…”

“…The Scedosporium species most commonly associated with life-threatening infections are S. apiospermum, S. aurantiacum, and S. boydii [8,[57][58][59][60][61]. Detection of these pathogens relies on a combination of techniques including histological examination and in situ hybridisation of tissue samples [62], isolation of the fungi from biopsy samples using semi-selective or selective media and microscopical examination of cultures for characteristic morphological features [58,63], with species identification requiring matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionisation-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) [64] or molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction [58,63]. While immunoassays that employ patient sera have been developed for the detection of Scedosporium and Disclaimer/Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions, and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s).…”

OMICS and Other Advanced Technologies in Mycological Applications

“…Metabolomic studies of phytopathogenic fungi including Rhizoctonia solani , Botrytis cinerea , Ustilago maydis , Sclerotinia sclerotiorum , Magnaporthe oryzae , and Fusarium graminearum have revealed mechanisms of fungal infection and plant defense [ 192 ]. The interactions between fungal pathogens and plants are vital for global agricultural production and food security and have been widely researched [ 192 , 193 ]. Besides the study of mycotoxin-producing phytopathogenic fungi, metabolomics is useful for identifying fungal endophytes that produce bioactive compounds in a host-dependent manner [ 194 ].…”

Lymphocutaneous infection due to Scedosporium apiospermum in a post COVID immunocompromised patient

“…The fungus causes not only mycetoma, but also pneumonitis, osteomyelitis, arthritis, meningitis, brain abscess, endocarditis, thyroid abscess, cutaneous and subcutaneous granuloma, sinusitis, otomycosis, keratitis, endophthalmitis and chorioretinitis. [2][3][4] Various opportunistic fungal infections have been reported among COVID-19-recovered patients, but rarely do Scedosporium apiospermum infections occur. 3,5 Lymphocutaneous syndrome is defined by an initial lesion at the site of inoculation, followed by secondary subcutaneous nodules and lymphangitis along the proximal lymphatic vessels draining the area.…”

“…[2][3][4] Various opportunistic fungal infections have been reported among COVID-19-recovered patients, but rarely do Scedosporium apiospermum infections occur. 3,5 Lymphocutaneous syndrome is defined by an initial lesion at the site of inoculation, followed by secondary subcutaneous nodules and lymphangitis along the proximal lymphatic vessels draining the area. The most common causes of lymphocutaneous syndrome are Sporothrix schenckii, Nocardia brasiliensis, Mycobacterium marinum, and Leishmania spp.…”