Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Current Knowledge of Trichosporon spp. and Trichosporonosis

Full text
Author(s):
Colombo, Arnaldo L. [1] ; Padovan, Ana Carolina B. [1] ; Chaves, Guilherme M. [2]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Lab Especial Micol, Disciplina Infectol, BR-04023062 Sao Paulo - Brazil
[2] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Lab Micol Med Mol, Dept Anal Clin Toxicol, BR-59072970 Natal, RN - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Review article
Source: CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS; v. 24, n. 4, p. 682+, OCT 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 164
Abstract

Trichosporon spp. are basidiomycetous yeast-like fungi found widely in nature. Clinical isolates are generally related to superficial infections. However, this fungus has been recognized as an opportunistic agent of invasive infections, mostly in cancer patients and those exposed to invasive medical procedures. It is possible that the ability of Trichosporon strains to form biofilms on implanted devices, the presence of glucuronoxylomannan in their cell walls, and the ability to produce proteases and lipases are all factors likely related to the virulence of this genus and therefore may account for the progress of invasive trichosporonosis. Disseminated trichosporonosis has been increasingly reported worldwide and represents a challenge for both diagnosis and species identification. Phenotypic identification methods are useful for Trichosporon sp. screening, but only molecular methods, such as IGS region sequencing, allow the complete identification of Trichosporon isolates at the species level. Methods for the diagnosis of invasive trichosporonosis include PCR-based methods, Luminex xMAP technology, and, more recently, proteomics. Treating patients with trichosporonosis remains a challenge because of limited data on the in vitro and in vivo activities of antifungal drugs against clinically relevant species of the genus. Despite the mentioned limitations, the use of antifungal regimens containing triazoles appears to be the best therapeutic approach. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/02006-0 - Microbiological characterization of Trichosporon spp. clinical isolates
Grantee:Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
FAPESP's process: 07/08575-1 - Hematogenic candidiasis: a multidisciplinary approach for the improvement of diagnostic tools and caracterization of biomarkers related to its prognosis
Grantee:Arnaldo Lopes Colombo
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants