A new record of Scedosporium dehoogii isolated from paddy field soil in Iran: Phylogeny and antifungal susceptibility profiles.

Background and purpose: Scedosporium species are ubiquitous environmental fungi, which are considered emerging agents that trigger disease in humans and animals. The present study aimed to determine Scedosporium dehoogii strain isolated from paddy field soil samples using semi-selective media and evaluate its antifungal susceptibility profile.

Materials and methods: Three paddy field soil samples were collected during an investigation for the isolation of Scedosporium species in Mazandaran province, Iran. Morphological and molecular analyses based on ITS-rDNA sequencing were performed. Furthermore, in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing for conventional drugs and novel imidazole (luliconazole) was performed based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M38-A3 guidelines.

Results: In this study, S. dehoogii was isolated from the soil in paddy fields. Based on the results, itraconazole and luliconazole showed the least and most antifungal activity against this isolate, respectively.

Conclusion: Based on the findings, molecular identification was essential for distinguishing the species of S. dehoogii. Remarkably, luliconazole showed potent activity against this strain.