Scedosporiosis

What it is

From: Orphanet

A rare mycosis caused by Scedosporium species, characterized by disparate disease pictures including pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection, mycetoma, and disseminated infection. Central nervous system infection has also been reported. Infections with this ubiquitous mold can occur in a range of contexts like solid organ transplantation, chemotherapy, chronic lung disease, but also in immunocompetent hosts and near drowning.

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.

Fever · Very frequent (99-80%)

Body temperature elevated above the normal range.

Immunodeficiency · Very frequent (99-80%)

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

Opportunistic fungal infection · Very frequent (99-80%)

An infection that is caused by a fungus that would generally not be able to cause an infection in a host with a normal immune system. Such fungi take advantage of the opportunity, so to speak, that is provided by a weakened immune system.

Severe infection · Very frequent (99-80%)

A type of infection that is regarded as a sign of a pathological susceptibility to infection because of unusual severity or intensity of the infection.

Ectopic calcification · Frequent (79-30%)

Deposition of calcium salts in a tissue or location in which calcification does not normally occur.

Pneumonia · Frequent (79-30%)

Inflammation of any part of the lung parenchyma.

Pulmonary tuberculosis · Frequent (79-30%)

A lung infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis a slightly curved non-motile, aerobic, non-capsulated and non-spore forming strains of mycobacteria.

Subcutaneous nodule · Frequent (79-30%)

Slightly elevated lesions on or in the skin with a diameter of over 5 mm.

Unusual skin infection · Frequent (79-30%)

Increased susceptibility to infection of the skin, nails, or mucous membranes, as manifested by recurrent or severe cutaneous or mucosal infection, or by skin or mucous membrane infection caused by an atypical or opportunistic organism.

Abnormal renal morphology · Occasional (29-5%)

Any structural anomaly of the kidney.

Abnormal respiratory system physiology · Occasional (29-5%)

Abnormal function of the respiratory system.

Abnormal thrombosis · Occasional (29-5%)

Venous or arterial thrombosis (formation of blood clots) of spontaneous nature and which cannot be fully explained by acquired risk (e.g. atherosclerosis).

Abnormality of the jejunum · Occasional (29-5%)

An abnormality of the jejunum, i.e., of the middle section of the small intestine.

Apical pulmonary opacity · Occasional (29-5%)

An apical cap is a caplike lesion at the lung apex, usually caused by intrapulmonary and pleural fibrosis pulling down extrapleural fat or possibly by chronic ischemia resulting in hyaline plaque formation on the visceral pleura. The prevalence increases with age. It can also be seen in hematoma resulting from aortic rupture or in other fluid collection associated with infection or tumor, either outside the parietal pleura or loculated within the pleural space.

Other findings in the same source

From: Orphanet

Additional reported features include Brain imaging abnormality (Occasional (29-5%)); Bronchial breath sound (Occasional (29-5%)); Bronchitis (Occasional (29-5%)); Cough (Occasional (29-5%)); Diabetes mellitus (Occasional (29-5%)); Endocarditis (Occasional (29-5%)); Fungal meningitis (Occasional (29-5%)); Hemoptysis (Occasional (29-5%)); Invasive fungal infection (Occasional (29-5%)); Osteomyelitis (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

Frequency and the population described

From: Orphanet

Annual incidence: 1-9 / 1 000 000; Australia; Value and class. Point prevalence: <1 / 1 000 000; Europe; Class only.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Scedosporiosis 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

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

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.