Scedosporium infections at a cancer center over a 10-year period (2001-2010)

To determine if there has been an increase in Scedosporium infection at our cancer center, we compared the incidence to previously published data from our institution. A retrospective analysis of records of 12 patients with cancer with culture-proven Scedosporium infection from the last decade was performed. Types of malignancy included both hematologic disease, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and solid tumors, such as breast and lung cancer. Risk factors for Scedosporium infection include prolonged neutropenia, bronchiectasis, and immunosuppressive therapy. The mortality rate for patients with Scedosporium prolificans infection was 75%, whereas patients with Scedosporium apiospermum infection were more likely to die of their underlying malignancy than infection. Copyright © 2014 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.