Overview
Scedosporiosis is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by species of the Scedosporium genus, most commonly Scedosporium apiospermum (also known as the asexual form of Pseudallescheria boydii) and Scedosporium prolificans (now called Lomentospora prolificans). These fungi are found in soil, polluted water, and decaying organic matter. The infection can affect many parts of the body, including the lungs, brain, skin, bones, joints, and eyes. It is sometimes called pseudallescheriasis when caused by Pseudallescheria boydii. Scedosporiosis most often strikes people with weakened immune systems, such as those who have had organ transplants, are receiving chemotherapy, have HIV/AIDS, or are on long-term steroid therapy. It can also occur in otherwise healthy people after near-drowning events in contaminated water or after traumatic injuries where soil enters a wound. Symptoms depend on which part of the body is infected and can range from skin sores and lung problems to life-threatening brain infections. Treatment is challenging because Scedosporium species are naturally resistant to many common antifungal drugs, including amphotericin B. The antifungal drug voriconazole is generally considered the first-line treatment, though outcomes vary depending on the patient's immune status and the site of infection. In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove infected tissue. Despite treatment, scedosporiosis can be very difficult to cure, especially in severely immunocompromised patients, making early diagnosis and aggressive therapy critical.
Key symptoms:
Persistent cough or worsening lung symptomsSkin sores or abscesses that do not healFever that does not respond to antibioticsHeadache, confusion, or seizures from brain infectionBone or joint pain and swellingEye redness, pain, or vision lossSinus congestion and facial painFatigue and general feeling of being unwellSwollen lymph nodesDraining skin wounds after injuryShortness of breathWeight lossFungal ball in the lungs (mycetoma)
Clinical phenotype terms (34)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Scedosporiosis.
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Scedosporiosis.
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which Scedosporium species is causing my infection, and does that affect my treatment options?,How long will I need to take antifungal medication, and what side effects should I watch for?,Will I need surgery in addition to antifungal drugs?,How will you monitor whether the treatment is working?,Are there activities or environments I should avoid to prevent the infection from getting worse or coming back?,Should my immunosuppressive medications be adjusted?,What are the warning signs that I should go to the emergency room?
Common questions about Scedosporiosis
What is Scedosporiosis?
Scedosporiosis is a rare but serious fungal infection caused by species of the Scedosporium genus, most commonly Scedosporium apiospermum (also known as the asexual form of Pseudallescheria boydii) and Scedosporium prolificans (now called Lomentospora prolificans). These fungi are found in soil, polluted water, and decaying organic matter. The infection can affect many parts of the body, including the lungs, brain, skin, bones, joints, and eyes. It is sometimes called pseudallescheriasis when caused by Pseudallescheria boydii. Scedosporiosis most often strikes people with weakened immune syst
How is Scedosporiosis inherited?
Scedosporiosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Which specialists treat Scedosporiosis?
15 specialists and care centers treating Scedosporiosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.