Sarocladium and Acremonium infections: New faces of an old opportunistic fungus

Abstract

The genera Acremonium and Sarocladium comprise a high diversity of morphologically and genetically related fungi generally found in the environment, although a few species, mainly Sarocladium kiliense and Acremonium egyptiacum, can also be involved in many human infections. Clinical management of opportunistic infections caused by these fungi is very complex, since their correct identification is unreliable, and they generally show poor antifungal response. More than 300 clinical cases involving a broad range of Acremonium/Sarocladium infections have so far been published, and with this review we aim to compile and provide a detailed overview of the current knowledge on Acremonium/Sarocladium human infections in terms of presentation, diagnosis, treatments and prognoses. We also aim to summarise and discuss the data currently available on their antifungal susceptibility, emphasising the promising results obtained with voriconazole as well as their impact in terms of animal infections.

Keywords: Acremonium; Sarocladium; infection; pathology; taxonomy.