[An overview on Trichosporon asahii and its infections].

Trichosporon species cause systemic, mucosa associated and superficial infections which include white piedra. Disseminated fungal infections due to Trichosporon species have increased in the recent years. Hematologic malignancy, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and organ transplantation are the main risk factors for disseminated Trichosporon infections. Two most common species that cause the disseminated Trichosporon infections are Trichosporon asahii and Trichosporon mucoides. Diagnosis and treatment of Trichosporon infections are difficult. Invasive trichosporonosis caused by T.asahii has a high mortality rate and a very poor prognosis. Fungicidal activity of amphotericin B against T.asahii isolates is inadequate. For echinocandin group of drugs, high minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, µg/ml) values are obtained. Currently, triazole antifungal agents are the preferred drugs for the treatment of Trichosporon infections. In this review article general characteristics of T.asahii and its infections were summarized.