The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Trichosporonosis at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Ghassan J Alboloshi; Asif A Jiman-Fatani; Dalya Attallah; Jawahir A Mokhtar; Nabeela Abdullah Al-Abdullah; Khalil Alkuwaity; Reham Kaki; Mohammed W Al-Rabia; Abdelbagi Alfadil; Karem Ibrahem; Addisu D Teklemariam; Steve Harakeh

doi:10.2147/IJGM.S449511

The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Trichosporonosis at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Int J Gen Med. 2024 Apr 3:17:1297-1310. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S449511. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Ghassan J Alboloshi¹, Asif A Jiman-Fatani^{2

3}, Dalya Attallah³, Jawahir A Mokhtar^{2

3

4}, Nabeela Abdullah Al-Abdullah^{5

6}, Khalil Alkuwaity^{4

7}, Reham Kaki^{6

8}, Mohammed W Al-Rabia², Abdelbagi Alfadil^{2

9}, Karem Ibrahem², Addisu D Teklemariam^{10

11}, Steve Harakeh^{12

13}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratories, King Abdullah Medical Complex Jeddah, Ministry of Health, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Public Health, College of Nursing, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Infection Control and Environmental Health, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁷ Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁸ Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
⁹ Center of Research Excellence for Drug Research and Pharmaceutical Industries, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
¹¹ Department of MIVP, College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
¹² King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
¹³ Yousef Abdul Latif Jameel Scientific Chair of Prophetic Medicine Application, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Fungal infections, especially those caused have emerged as a significant medical concern over the past three decades, particularly among immunocompromised patients. However, recent studies have highlighted the increasing prevalence of fungal infections resembling yeast other than Candida, such as trichosporonosis, especially among immunosuppressed individuals worldwide. Trichosporon has been identified as a significant contributor to superficial and invasive infections. Invasive trichosporonosis, primarily affecting immunocompromised patients, poses a significant threat with high mortality rates.

Purpose: The current study aimed to explore the clinical epidemiology of Trichosporon spp at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This retrospective study aimed to assess the clinical epidemiology of Trichosporon spp. infections in microbiology cultures obtained from KAUH in Saudi Arabia. The study analyzed data from patients over a five-year period, focusing on demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics.

Results: This study encompassed 21 participants, categorized into four distinct age groups. Moreover, this study indicated T. asahii as the predominant species isolated, accounting for 90.5% of infections, followed by T. mucoides (9.5%). ICU hospitalization, diabetes mellitus, taking immunosuppressive drugs, and antifungal drugs, and the use of invasive medical equipment were identified as prominent risk factors for trichosporonosis. Urinary tract infections were the most common clinical presentation, particularly among male and elderly patients. Mortality rates were high, especially among older individuals.

Conclusion: This study contributes valuable epidemiological insights into trichosporonosis, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and preventive strategies in healthcare settings. Further research is warranted to optimize treatment approaches and infection control measures, ultimately reducing the burden of Trichosporon infections on patient outcomes.

Keywords: Trichosporon asahii; Trichosporon spp; fungal infection; invasive; risk factors; trichosporonosis.