Phaeohyphomycosis Infections in Transplant Recipients
Summary
Transplant recipients are uniquely vulnerable to phaeohyphomycosis, a spectrum of infections caused by dematiaceous (melanised) fungi. Prolonged immunosuppression to prevent graft rejection disrupts innate and adaptive immune defences, enabling environmental moulds to invade cutaneous, subcutaneous and visceral tissues. Clinical manifestations range from localised cysts and nodules to deep organ involvement, including pulmonary, cerebral and disseminated disease. Diagnosis relies on histopathology, fungal culture and molecular techniques, but challenges include slow organism growth and non-specific presentations. Optimal management combines surgical debridement with systemic antifungal therapy, chiefly with triazoles, yet treatment regimens vary according to fungal species, site of infection and patient tolerance. Mortality remains substantial in invasive and disseminated forms, emphasising the need for early recognition, standardised diagnostic pathways and tailored therapeutic strategies. Advances in diagnostic assays, antifungal agents and understanding of host–pathogen interactions are redefining clinical care and may reduce the global burden of phaeohyphomycosis in this high-risk population.
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Phaeohyphomycosis Infections in Transplant Recipients publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in phaeohyphomycosis infections in transplant recipients across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phaeohyphomycosis: Infection caused by pigmented (dematiaceous) fungi characterised by hyphal elements in tissue.
Dematiaceous fungi: A group of environmental moulds containing melanin in their cell walls, appearing dark under microscopy.
Solid organ transplant recipient: An individual who has received a transplanted organ (e.g., kidney, liver, heart) and requires long-term immunosuppression.
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of an antifungal agent that prevents visible growth of a fungus in vitro.
References
- Phaeohyphomycosis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Case Series and Narrative Review of the Literature. Journal of Fungi (2023).
- Dematiaceous Molds. Infectious Disease Clinics of North America (2024).
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