Re-identification of clinical isolates of the Pseudallescheria boydii-complex involved in near-drowning

Fungal infections caused by the members of the genera Pseudallescheria and/or Scedosporium are important complications in patients after near-drowning. As the taxonomy of Pseudallescheria and Scedosporium has been revised, clinical isolates from 11 patients, after near-drowning, previously identified as P. boydii or S. apiospermum had to be re-identified. S. apiospermum, now separated from P. boydii as a distinct species, was found most frequently (n = 8), while S. aurantiacum, recently described as new species and P. boydii were less common (n = 2 and n = 1, respectively). Three patients near-drowned during the Tsunami 2004 were infected by different species of the P. boydii complex. In vitro testing resulted in lowest minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) for voriconazole (range 0.25-2.0 mu g ml(-1)).