Current knowledge on Trichosporon spp.

In recent years, with the increasing of immunocompromised patients, Trichosporon spp. has become a more and more significant clinical opportunistic pathogen. Medical staff should enhance the clinical awareness to this pathogen. In this paper, the classification, virulence factor and pathogenic mechanism, infections, diagnostic methods of laboratory, antifungal susceptibility and treatment of Trichosporon spp. were reviewed systematically. Trichosporon asahii is the major pathogen of invasive infections. Biofilm formation and enzyme production will promote its ability to escape from antifungal drugs and host immune responses. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry has the advantages of accurate, fast and low cost for identification of Trichosporon spp., and zoles is the first-line treatment for invasive infections.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 883-888) Key words: Trichosporon; Mycological typing techniques; Virulence; Microbial sensitivity tests