ABSTRACT
Hyalohyphomycosis describes the opportunistic infection caused by any of a variety of normally saprophytic fungi with hyaline hyphae. Members of the Hyphomycetes genera are recognized as the etiological agent of many superficial, locally invasive, or disseminated infections. Localized infections may occur among otherwise healthy individuals, while disseminated infections tend to occur among patients with severe immunosuppression. In the immunosuppressed patient population, the outcome is closely related to the persistence of their immunocompromised state. The optimal treatment of these infections remains uncertain but in general it should be guided by susceptibility testing along with surgical debridement and catheter removal.
This chapter focuses on Acremonium spp., Paecilomyces spp., Penicillium spp., Talaromyces spp. and Scopulariopsis spp. While Fusarium spp., Scedosporium spp., and Aspergillus spp. Others are covered in other chapters. Within each genus, we will discuss the organisms’ mycology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, and treatment.
