Scedosporium sp.
Scedosporium causes a spectrum of disease similar in terms of variety and severity to those caused by Aspergillus. The vast majority of infections are mycetomas, the remainder include infections of the eye, ear, central nervous system, internal organs and more commonly the lungs. Infections result from either inhalation of air-borne conidia or by the traumatic implantation of fungal elements due to a penetrating injury. The etiological agents are Scedosporium apiospermum, Scedosporium aurantiacum and Scedosporium prolificans.
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All are common soil fungi, therefore a positive culture from a non-sterile specimen, such as sputum or skin, needs to be supported by direct microscopic evidence in order to be considered significant. A positive culture from a biopsy or aspirated material from a sterile site should be considered significant. Culture identification is the only reliable means of distinguishing these fungi from Aspergillus species.
