Trichosporon

Trichosporon is a genus of yeast that is part of the Trichosporonaceae family. It was first described by Otto Beijerinck in 1890. The genus includes several species that are pathogenic to humans, causing a disease known as trichosporonosis.

Taxonomy

The genus Trichosporon belongs to the family Trichosporonaceae, in the order Tremellales, class Tremellomycetes, phylum Basidiomycota, and kingdom Fungi. The genus contains several species, including Trichosporon asahii, Trichosporon cutaneum, and Trichosporon inkin.

Morphology

Trichosporon species are characterized by their white to cream-colored colonies. They are filamentous fungi, producing hyphae and pseudohyphae. They also produce blastospores, which are a type of asexual spore.

Pathogenicity

Several species of Trichosporon are pathogenic to humans, causing a disease known as trichosporonosis. This disease can manifest in several ways, including white piedra, a superficial infection of the hair shaft, and invasive trichosporonosis, a systemic infection that can affect multiple organs.

Treatment

Treatment of trichosporonosis typically involves antifungal medications, such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, and voriconazole. In severe cases, surgical debridement may be necessary.

See also

• Mycology
• Medical mycology
• Fungal infection