General Overview of A Rare Mold: Lomentospora prolificans

Abstract

There has been a rise in the prevalence and diversity of fungal infections both in Turkey and across the globe. This increase is attributed to a growing number of immunocompromised patients and the use of antifungal prophylaxis. Consequently, there has been a surge in cases of rare mold infections, one of which is caused by Lomentospora prolificans. It is mostly seen in Australia, Spain, and southwestern America. It was also encountered in a patient for the first time in Turkey. L.prolificans mostly causes arthritis or osteomyelitis, and often causes invasive infections in immunocompetent individuals because of trauma, while it causes disseminated and hematogenous infections in immunocompromised individuals. It can be seen in various body parts, especially the lungs, bones, and brain. Direct microscopy, culture, and histological analysis are the main diagnostic methods for L.prolificans. It has several virulence factors such as PRM, glucosylceramides, α-glucan, superoxide dismutase, proteolytic enzymes, catalase, melanin, and siderophores. Generally, it shows resistance to all available antifungals, and disseminated infections frequently result in death. This review was written to provide a general overview of the taxonomy, epidemiology, diagnostic methods, virulence factors, and antifungal susceptibility properties of L.prolificans due to its recent increase in frequency and therefore noteworthiness.

Keywords

• Lomentospora prolificans
• pan-antifungal resistance
• rare Mold

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