Fusariosis

What it is

From: Orphanet

Fusariosis describes a superficial, locally invasive, disseminated infection with the pathogenic fungus species, Fusarium, often found in soil and water, which is mainly transmitted to humans through traumatic inoculation and that manifests with keratitis, onychomycosis and less frequently peritonitis and cellulitis. In the immunocompromised, disseminated fusariosis is more common and it manifests with refractory fever, skin lesions (ecthyma-like, target, and multiple subcutaneous nodules), severe myalgias and sino-pulmonary infections.

Reported clinical features and what the terms mean

The following findings are associated with this condition in Orphanet. They are not a checklist for diagnosing yourself, and they do not all occur in every affected person. Some are examination, imaging or laboratory findings that cannot be recognised at home.

The frequency labels describe how often a finding was reported among people with the condition in the source. They do not give the chance that a person with that symptom has the condition. Definitions below reproduce HPO terminology; they explain the term, not the likely severity in an individual.

Positive blood 1,3 beta glucan test · Very frequent (99-80%)

Beta-1,3-glucan is a major constituent of all of the characterized fungal cell walls, making up between 30-80 percent of the mass of the wall. It is a biomarker of fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Decreased total neutrophil count · Frequent (79-30%)

Abnormal decrease of absolute number of neutrophils in the blood, per microlitre, compared to a reference range for a given sex and age-group.

Fever · Frequent (79-30%)

Body temperature elevated above the normal range.

Immunodeficiency · Frequent (79-30%)

Failure of the immune system to protect the body adequately from infection, due to the absence or insufficiency of some component process or substance.

Invasive fungal infection · Frequent (79-30%)

Fungal infection characterized by invasion of host tissues.

Onychomycosis · Frequent (79-30%)

Increased susceptibility to fungal infection of the nail apparatus (onychomycosis), as manifested by recurrent or severe infection of the nail plate, nail bed, or nail matrix caused by fungal organisms. Causative agents include dermatophytes (Trichophyton species) and Candida species.

Pneumonia · Frequent (79-30%)

Inflammation of any part of the lung parenchyma.

Regional abnormality of skin · Frequent (79-30%)

An abnormality of the skin that is restricted to a particular body region.

Sinusitis · Frequent (79-30%)

Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses owing to a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, allergy, or an autoimmune reaction.

Chest pain · Occasional (29-5%)

An unpleasant sensation characterized by physical discomfort (such as pricking, throbbing, or aching) localized to the chest.

Granuloma · Occasional (29-5%)

A compact, organized collection of mature mononuclear phagocytes, which may be but is not necessarily accompanied by accessory features such as necrosis.

Ground-glass opacification on pulmonary HRCT · Occasional (29-5%)

On chest radiographs, ground-glass opacity appears as an area of hazy increased lung opacity, usually extensive, within which margins of pulmonary vessels may be indistinct. On CT scans, it appears as hazy increased opacity of lung, with preservation of bronchial and vascular margins. It is caused by partial filling of airspaces, interstitial thickening (due to fluid, cells, and/or fibrosis), partial collapse of alveoli, increased capillary blood volume, or a combination of these, the common factor being the partial displacement of air. Ground-glass opacity is less opaque than consolidation, in which bronchovascular margins are obscured.

Hematological neoplasm · Occasional (29-5%)

Neoplasms located in the blood and blood-forming tissue (the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue).

Hemoptysis · Occasional (29-5%)

Coughing up (expectoration) of blood or blood-streaked sputum from the larynx, trachea, bronchi, or lungs.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (Occasional (29-5%)); Lymphopenia (Occasional (29-5%)); Maculopapular exanthema (Occasional (29-5%)); Myalgia (Occasional (29-5%)); Papule (Occasional (29-5%)); Parenchymal consolidation (Occasional (29-5%)); Paronychia (Occasional (29-5%)); Pleural effusion (Occasional (29-5%)); Productive cough (Occasional (29-5%)); Pulmonary opacity (Occasional (29-5%)). This is a selected summary, not a complete description of the condition.

When it may begin

From: Orphanet

All ages

Inheritance in the source

From: Orphanet

Not applicable

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Fusariosis is Infectious Diseases, with a general physician / infectious disease specialist as the relevant type of clinician. General physician / Family Medicine; paediatrician for children. Referral depends on symptoms.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which exposure or organism is suspected, and what evidence would confirm it?
• Are precautions, vaccination or advice for close contacts relevant to this infection?
• What should happen if symptoms worsen or do not improve as expected?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

The material gathered for this draft does not provide a complete condition-specific treatment pathway for Fusariosis. That gap does not mean that treatment is unavailable. A clinician needs to establish the diagnosis and review current guidance before recommending medicines, procedures, rehabilitation or other support.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.