Abstract
Members of the Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium species complex are emerging opportunistic fungal pathogens which have the capacity to colonize patients with damaged airways, including those with cystic fibrosis (CF). Assuming human infection is acquired via inhalation of fungal spores from the environment, we performed a qualitative environmental survey encompassing 25 urban, semirural and rural sites in the greater Sydney region to determine the prevalence of Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium species. Soil sampling revealed an abundance of Pseudallescheria/Scedosporium, particularly in locations associated with high human activity. No variation was noted during repeated sampling at different times of the year. Strains of Scedosporium aurantiacum were most frequently isolated (54.6%), followed by Scedosporium prolificans (43%), P. boydii (2.1%) and S. dehoogii (0.3%). The findings coincide with the relatively high prevalence of Scedosporium infections in Australia and their presence as colonizers in CF patients. They emphasize the importance of environmental studies to assess the clinical risk of infection.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by an NH&MRC project grant #352303 to WM and research funding by Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Australia to WM and SC. Azian Harun was supported by the Academic Staff Higher Education Scheme scholarship from the Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Declaration of interest: The authors have no conflict of interest in relation to this work. SC is a member of the antifungal advisory Board of Pfizer, Australia and Gilead Sciences Inc.