Lomentosporiosis

What is Lomentosporiosis?

Lomentosporiosis is a life-threatening invasive infection caused by Lomentospora prolificans (previously known as Scedosporium prolificans), an opportunistic pathogenic rare mould found in the soil.^1–3 People who are immunocompromised or critically ill are at risk of infection.^1,3

Pathogenesis

Lomentospora prolificans can cause invasive infection in the respiratory system, blood, central nervous system and other organs.¹ Systemic infections can also occur.¹ Clinical presentation includes pulmonary and cerebral manifestations, as well as disseminated disease with fungaemia.⁴

Epidemiology

Lomentospora prolificans is a globally distributed pathogen; however, an accurate estimate of the incidence of invasive lomentosporiosis is unknown due to scarcity of data.¹ It is ubiquitously found as a soil saprophyte, predominantly in the arid climates of Australia, southwestern USA and Spain, which is reflected by the high number of reported cases in these regions.²

Invasive lomentosporiosis represents 13–33% of infections due to non-Aspergillus moulds, and an increase in cases of non-Aspergillus moulds such as lomentosporiosis has been reported in the past two decades.³

Invasive lomentosporiosis is associated with high mortality rates, estimated at 50–71% in adults and 50% in children who are immunocompromised.¹

Risk factors

Risk factors for lomentosporiosis include:^1,3

• Critical illness
• Immune deficiency
• Haematological malignancy
• Organ transplant

Pathogenic species

Lomentosporiosis is caused by Lomentospora prolificans.^1,3