Osteoarticular Mycoses.

Osteoarticular mycoses are chronic debilitating infections that require extended courses of antifungal therapy and may warrant expert surgical intervention. As there has been no comprehensive review of these diseases, the International Consortium for Osteoarticular Mycoses prepared a definitive treatise for this important class of infections. Among the etiologies of osteoarticular mycoses are Candida spp., Aspergillus spp., Mucorales, dematiaceous fungi, non-Aspergillus hyaline molds, and endemic mycoses, including those caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Coccidioides species. This review analyzes the history, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, inflammatory biomarkers, diagnostic imaging modalities, treatments, and outcomes of osteomyelitis and septic arthritis caused by these organisms. Candida osteomyelitis and Candida arthritis are associated with greater events of hematogenous dissemination than those of most other osteoarticular mycoses. Traumatic inoculation is more commonly associated with osteoarticular mycoses caused by Aspergillus and non-Aspergillus molds. Synovial fluid cultures are highly sensitive in the detection of Candida and Aspergillus arthritis. Relapsed infection, particularly in Candida arthritis, may develop in relation to an inadequate duration of therapy. Overall mortality reflects survival from disseminated infection and underlying host factors.

Invasive bone and joint infections from the French Scedosporiosis/lomentosporiosis Observational Study (SOS) cohort: no mortality with long-term antifungal treatment and surgery.

Little is known about localized osteoarticular Scedosporiosis (LOS). Most data come from case reports and small case series. Here we present an ancillary study of the nationwide French Scedosporiosis Observational Study (SOS), describing 15 consecutive cases of LOS diagnosed between January 2005 and March 2017. Adult patients diagnosed with LOS defined by osteoarticular involvement without distant foci reported in SOS were included. Fifteen LOS were analyzed. Seven patients had underlying disease. Fourteen patients had prior trauma as potential inoculation. Clinical presentation was arthritis (n = 8), osteitis (n = 5), and thoracic wall infection (n = 2). The most common clinical manifestation was pain (n = 9), followed by localized swelling (n = 7), cutaneous fistulization (n = 7), and fever (n = 5). The species involved were Scedosporium apiospermum (n = 8), S. boydii (n = 3), S. dehoogii (n = 1), and Lomentospora prolificans (n = 3). The species distribution was unremarkable except for S. boydii, which was associated with healthcare-related inoculations. Management was based on medical and surgical treatment for 13 patients. Fourteen patients received antifungal treatment for a median duration of 7 months. No patients died during follow-up. LOS exclusively occurred in the context of inoculation or systemic predisposing factors. It has a non-specific clinical presentation and is associated with an overall good clinical outcome, provided there is a prolonged course of antifungal therapy and adequate surgical management.

Localized osteoarticular scedosporiosis mostly occurs following direct inoculation. Management was most often based on voriconazole therapy and concomitant surgery. Unlike other invasive scedosporiosis, no patient died during follow-up.

Outcome of febrile neutropenic patients treated for bacteriuria in hematology.

INTRODUCTION: Positive urine sample is a frequent finding in post-chemotherapy febrile neutropenia (FN) and can lead to prolonged antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of bacteriuria episodes in FN patients receiving targeted antibiotic therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multi-centric retrospective study was conducted over a four-year period (2014-2019) on systematic urinalysis. All consecutive first bacteriuria episodes (≤ 2 bacteria with at least ≥ 103 CFU/mL) during FN in hospitalized adult patients for hematological malignancies were included. Relapse and recurrence were defined by fever or urinary tract symptoms (UTS) with the same bacterial subspecies in urine occurring ≤ 7 days and ≤ 30 days, respectively, after antibiotic discontinuation. Mortality rate was determined at 30 days. Targeted antibiotic therapy ≤ 10 days for women and ≤ 14 for men was considered as short course. RESULTS: Among 97 patients, 105 bacteriuria episodes on systematic urinalysis were analyzed; 67.6% occurred in women, 41.9% in AML patients, 17.1% were bacteremic, 14.2% presented with UTS, and 61.9% were treated with short-course antibiotic treatment. One death was reported. In men, no relapse/recurrence was noted, even in the short-course antibiotic group. In women, 2.8% of episodes treated with short-course antibiotic led to relapse or recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Relapse, recurrence, and mortality were uncommon events in FN patients experiencing bacteriuria episode, whatever the antibiotic duration. To distinguish asymptomatic bacteriuria from infection remained challenging in women. In men, systematic urinalysis at onset of FN could be useful.

Ulceroglandular Infection and Bacteremia Caused by Francisella salimarina in Immunocompromised Patient, France.

Although Francisella tularensis is a well-known, highly virulent bacterium that causes tularemia in humans, other Francisella species have been associated with sporadic human infections. We describe a human cutaneous infection with bacteremia caused by F. salimarina, a Francisella species recently identified from seawater and fishes, in an immunocompromised patient in France.

Late Onset of Chronic Granulomatous Disease Revealed by Paecilomyces lilacinus Cutaneous Infection.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an inherited immunodeficiency due to defective leukocyte NADPH responsible for recurrent infections and aberrant inflammation. Mutations in the CYBB gene are responsible for the X-linked CGD and account for approximately 70% of the cases. CGD is diagnosed during childhood in males. Female carriers may have biased X-inactivation and may present with clinical manifestations depending on the level of residual NADPH oxidase activity. We report the case of a previously asymptomatic female carrier who was diagnosed at age 67 with a skin infection with the rare fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus as the first manifestation of CGD. Dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) activity was below 10%. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed mutations in DNMT3A, ASXL1, and STAG2 suggesting that clonal hematopoiesis could be responsible for a progressive loss of NADPH oxidase activity and the late onset of X-linked CGD in this patient. Long-term follow-up of asymptomatic carrier women seems to be essential after 50 years old.

Risk factors for biliary stent infections in malignant biliary obstruction secondary to unresectable malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Palliative biliary drainage in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) frequently leads to biliary stent infection (BI), which could impact medical care. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for BI occurrence in patients after stenting procedure and the impact of BI on patient survival. METHODS: All consecutive patients hospitalized from 2014 to 2018 for MBO and biliary stenting were retrospectively included. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of each BI episode during a 1-year follow-up were described. Documented BI was defined as the association of BI episode and confirmed blood stream infection (BSI). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate risk factors for the first BI occurrence. RESULTS: Among 180 patients, 56% were men (mean age of 69±12), and 54% have pancreatic cancer, 16% biliary cancer, 2% hepatic cancer, and 28% lymph node or metastatic compression; metallic stent was placed in 92%. A total of 113 BI episodes occurred in 74 patients, 55% of the first episodes occurring within 3 months after stenting. BI was documented in 56% of the episodes. Enterobacteriaceae were the most frequent pathogens found, while no yeasts were documented. Mortality rate in patients with BI was 64%. Multivariate analysis showed a significant difference in BI occurrence for two criteria: WHO score 3-4 (OR=8.79 [1.79-42.89]; p=0.007) and transpapillary stenting location (OR=3.72 [1.33-10.44]; p=0.013). CONCLUSION: Since transpapillary stenting is a risk factor for BI, preserving the papilla as much as possible is a priority so as to avoid BI.

Draft Genome Sequence of Kazachstania bovina Yeast Isolated from Human Infection.

Kazachstania bovina is a yeast species from the K. telluris complex that has been recently involved in bloodstream infections. While yeast genomes from this complex have already been sequenced, K. bovina genome has not been published yet. Here is the first draft genome of K. bovina (CBS 16326).

Corticosteroids alter alveolar macrophage control of Lichtheimia corymbifera spores in an ex vivo mouse model.

Alveolar macrophages (AM) are the first-line lung defense against Mucorales in pulmonary mucormycosis. Since corticosteroid use is a known risk factor for mucormycosis, the aim of this study was to describe the role of corticosteroids on AM capacities to control Lichtheimia corymbifera spore growth using a new ex vivo model. An in vivo mouse model was developed to determine the acetate cortisone dose able to trigger pulmonary invasive infection. Then, in the ex vivo model, male BALB/c mice were pretreated with the corticosteroid regimen triggering invasive infection, before AM collection through bronchoalveolar lavage. AMs from corticosteroid-treated mice and untreated control AMs were then exposed to L. corymbifera spores in vitro (ratio 1:5). AM control of fungal growth, adherence/phagocytosis, and oxidative burst were assessed using optical densities by spectrophotometer, flow cytometry, and 2', 7'-dichlorofluoresceine diacetate fluorescence, respectively. Cortisone acetate at 500 mg/kg, at D-3 and at D0, led to pulmonary invasive infection at D3. Co-incubated spores and AMs from corticosteroid-treated mice had significantly higher absorbance (fungal growth) than co-incubated spores and control AMs, at 24 h (P = .025), 36 h (P = .004), and 48 h (P = .001). Colocalization of spores with AMs from corticosteroid-treated mice was significantly lower than for control AMs (7.6 ± 1.9% vs 22.3 ± 5.8%; P = .003), reflecting spore adherence and phagocytosis inhibition. Finally, oxidative burst was significantly increased when control AMs were incubated with spores (P = 0.029), while corticosteroids hampered oxidative burst from treated AMs (P = 0.321). Corticosteroids enhanced fungal growth of L. corymbifera through AM phagocytosis inhibition and burst oxidative decrease in our ex vivo model. LAY SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to describe the impact of corticosteroids on alveolar macrophage (AM) capacities to control Mucorales growth in a new murine ex vivo model. Corticosteroids enhanced fungal growth of L. corymbifera through AM phagocytosis inhibition and burst oxidative decrease.

Chronic Disseminated Candidiasis During Hematological Malignancies: An Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome With Expansion of Pathogen-Specific T Helper Type 1 Cells.

BACKGROUND: Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a rare disease that mostly occurs after chemotherapy-induced prolonged neutropenia in patients with hematological malignancies. It is believed to ensue from Candida colonization, breach of the intestinal epithelial barrier, and venous translocation to organs. Fungal blood or liver biopsy cultures are generally negative, suggesting the absence of an ongoing invasive fungal disease. METHODS: To unravel the contribution of the immune system to CDC pathogenesis, we undertook a prospective multicentric exploratory study in 44 CDC patients at diagnosis and 44 matched controls. RESULTS: Analysis of Candida-specific T-cell responses using enzyme-linked immunospot assays revealed higher numbers of interferon (IFN)γ-producing T cells reactive to mp65 or candidin in 27 CDC cases compared with 33 controls. Increased plasma levels of soluble CD25, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-10 and lower levels of IL-2 were observed in CDC patients versus controls. Neutrophilia and higher levels of CD4 and CD8 T-cell activation were found in CDC patients as well as increased proportions of CXCR3-expressing TCRγδ +Vδ2+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: The expansion of Candida-specific IFNγ-producing T cells together with features of T-cell activation and systemic inflammation identified here support the view that CDC belongs to the broad spectrum of fungal-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndromes.

Invasive Candida bovina Infection, France.

New Candida species such as Candida auris have emerged recently as important invasive fungal diseases. We report a case of C. bovina bloodstream infection in a 94-year-old patient in France. The species led to identification issues because it was misidentified by phenotypic and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry methods.

Is current initial empirical antibiotherapy appropriate to treat bloodstream infections in short-duration chemo-induced febrile neutropenia?

INTRODUCTION: Fever of unknown origin is by far the most common diagnosis in low-risk febrile neutropenic patients undergoing chemotherapy. The current empirical regimen combines amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and fluoroquinolones in low-risk neutropenic patients. The aim of this study was to assess the appropriateness of antibiotherapy and the outcome of bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients with expected neutropenia of short duration. METHODS: This 2-year monocentric retrospective study included all consecutive neutropenic febrile adult patients with expected duration of neutropenia ≤ 7 days. They were classified into low- and high-risk groups for complications using the MASCC index. Appropriateness of initial empirical antibiotic regimen was assessed for each BSI. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Over the study period, 189 febrile episodes with positive blood cultures in neutropenic patients were reported, of which 44 occurred during expected duration of neutropenia ≤ 7 days. Patients were classified as high-risk (n = 27) and low-risk (n = 17). Gram-negative bacteria BSI represented 57% of cases, including only two multidrug-resistant bacteria in high-risk patients. Initial empirical antibiotherapy was appropriate in 86% of cases, and inappropriate in the event of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus BSI (14%), although the outcome was always favorable. In low-risk patients, no deaths and only 12% of severe complications were reported, contrasting with mortality and complication rates of 48% (p < 0.001) and 63% in high-risk patients (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Outcome of BSI is favorable in low-risk febrile neutropenic patients, even with inappropriate empirical initial antibiotic regimen for coagulase-negative Staphylococcus BSI. Initial in-hospital assessment and close monitoring of these patients are however mandatory.

Lichtheimia corymbifera Colonization Leading to Pulmonary Infection Can Be Prevented with Liposomal Amphotericin B in a New Murine Model.

The incidence of pulmonary mucormycosis is constantly increasing, especially in hematological patients staying in high-efficiency particulate air-filtered rooms. Pulmonary inhalation of spores may occur outside the hospital, leading to invasive disease once patients received chemotherapies. We developed a new pulmonary mucormycosis mouse model mimicking the expected pathophysiology in human to study antifungal drugs. Naive mice were inoculated intratracheally with Lichtheimia corymbifera spores. After 3 days, mice received corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide and secondarily developed the disease, while only 5% of the initial inoculum was present in the lungs at day 3. Lung colonization with L. corymbifera spores in immunocompetent mice can last at least 44 days. Antifungal drug was administered the day of immunosuppression. Injection of a single 15 mg/kg of body weight dose of liposomal amphotericin B significantly improved survival and pulmonary fungal burden compared with controls, whereas 80 mg/kg oral posaconazole did not. These results show that a unique dose of liposomal amphotericin B offers a real potential decolonization treatment to prevent infection in our mouse model of L. corymbifera lung colonization followed by lung infection.

Preclinical Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Data To Support Cefoxitin Nebulization for the Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus.

Mycobacterium abscessus is responsible for difficult-to-treat chronic pulmonary infections in humans. Current regimens, including parenteral administrations of cefoxitin (FOX) in combination with amikacin and clarithromycin, raise compliance problems and are frequently associated with high failure and development of resistance. Aerosol delivery of FOX could be an interesting alternative. FOX was administered to healthy rats by intravenous bolus or intratracheal nebulization, and concentrations were determined in plasma and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. After intrapulmonary administration, the FOX area under the curve within ELF was 1,147 times higher than that in plasma, indicating that this route of administration offers a biopharmaceutical advantage over intravenous administration. FOX antimicrobial activity was investigated using time-kill curves combined with a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) type modeling approach in order to account for its in vitro instability that precludes precise determination of MIC. Time-kill data were adequately described by a model including in vitro degradation, a sensitive (S) and a resistant (R) bacteria subpopulation, logistic growth, and a maximal inhibition-type growth inhibition effect of FOX. Median inhibitory concentrations were estimated at 16.2 and 252 mg/liter for the S and R subpopulations, respectively. These findings suggest that parenteral FOX dosing regimens used in patients for the treatment of M. abscessus are not sufficient to reduce the bacterial burden and that FOX nebulization offers a potential advantage that needs to be further investigated.

Perspectives on Scedosporium species and Lomentospora prolificans in lung transplantation: Results of an international practice survey from ESCMID fungal infection study group and study group for infections in compromised hosts, and European Confederation of Medical Mycology.

BACKGROUND: Scedosporium species and Lomentospora prolificans (S/L) are the second most common causes of invasive mold infections following Aspergillus in lung transplant recipients. METHODS: We assessed the current practices on management of S/L colonization/infection of the lower respiratory tract before and after lung transplantation in a large number of lung transplant centers through an international practice survey from October 2016 to March 2017. RESULTS: A total of 51 respondents from 45 lung transplant centers (17 countries, 4 continents) answered the survey (response rate 58%). S/L colonization was estimated to be detected in candidates by 48% of centers. Only 18% of the centers used a specific medium to detect S/L colonization. Scedosporium spp. colonization was a contraindication to transplantation in 10% of centers whereas L prolificans was a contraindication in 31%; 22% of centers declared having had 1-5 recipients infected with S/L in the past 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: This survey gives an overview of the current practices regarding S/L colonization and infection in lung transplant centers worldwide and underscores the need of S/L culture procedure standardization before implementing prospective studies.

High heterogeneity in community-acquired pneumonia inclusion criteria: does this impact on the validity of the results of randomized controlled trials?

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the most accurate combination of diagnostic criteria to define community acquired pneumonia (CAP). We describe inclusion criteria in randomized controlled trials (RCT) of CAP and assess their performance for the diagnosis of formally identified CAP. METHODS: RCTs related to CAP recorded on ClinicalTrials.gov were analysed. Due to high heterogeneity, we divided close CAP inclusion criteria into patterns (i.e. combinations of inclusion criteria). To assess their diagnostic performances, these CAP definition patterns were applied to a reference population of 319 suspected CAP patients, in whom the CAP diagnosis had been confirmed (n = 163) or excluded (n = 156) by an adjudication committee after a systematic thoracic CT-scan and a 28-day follow-up period. RESULTS: In the 47 RCTs included in the analysis, 42 different CAP inclusion criteria combinations were identified and 8 patterns created. This heterogeneity was not explained either by the trials' methodology or by their objectives. When applied to the reference population, the performance ranges of the 8 definition patterns were 9.8-56.4% for sensitivities, 56.4 97.4% for specificities, 63.6 83.6% for positive predictive values and 50.8-66.7% for negative predictive values. None of the CAP definitions had both sensitivity and specificity superior to 65%. Depending on the CAP definition, the rate of included patients without CAP ("false positives") ranged from 1 to 21%. CONCLUSIONS: CAP diagnostic criteria within RCTs are heterogeneous, which may have far-reaching consequences on validity of RCT results.

Bone and joint infections caused by mucormycetes: A challenging osteoarticular mycosis of the twenty-first century.

Osteomyelitis and arthritis caused by mucormycetes are rare diseases that rank among the most challenging complications in orthopedic and trauma surgery. The aim of this work is to review the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the osteoarticular mucormycosis with particular emphasis on high-risk patients. A systematic review of osteoarticular mucormycosis was performed using PUBMED and EMBASE databases from 1978 to 2014. Among 34 patients with median age 41 (0.5-73 years), 24 (71%) were males. While 12 (35%) were immunocompromised patients, 14 (41%) had prior surgery, and seven (21%) suffered trauma. Other underlying conditions included diabetes mellitus, hematological malignancies, transplantation, and corticosteroid therapy. The median diagnostic delay from onset of symptoms and signs was 60 (10-180) days. The principal mechanism of the infection was direct inoculation (n = 19; 56%), and in immunocompromised patients was usually hematogenous disseminated. The long bones were infected by trauma or surgery, while a wide variety of bones were involved by hematogenous dissemination. Combined surgery and amphotericin B treatment were implemented in 28 (82%) and eight (23%) had an unfavorable outcome. Osteoarticular mucormycosis occurs most frequently after trauma or surgical procedures. These infections are progressively destructive and more virulent in individuals with impaired immune systems. Early diagnosis, timely administration of amphotericin B, control of underlying conditions, and surgical debridement of infected tissue are critical for successful management of osteoarticular mucormycosis.

Aspergillus arthritis: analysis of clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of 31 reported cases.

Aspergillus arthritis is a debilitating form of invasive aspergillosis. Little is known about its epidemiology, clinical manifestations, laboratory features, treatment, and prognosis. Cases of Aspergillus arthritis were reviewed in the English literature from 1967 through 2015 for variables of arthritis with Aspergillus spp. recovered from joint and/or adjacent bone, underlying conditions, symptoms, signs, inflammatory biomarkers, diagnostic imaging, management, and outcome. Among 31 evaluable cases, 87% were males and 13% pediatric. Median age was 50 y (range 1-83 y). Seventeen (55%) patients were immunosuppressed with such conditions as hematological malignancies (26%), corticosteroids (39%), and/or transplantation (26%). Approximately one-half (52%) of patients had hematogenous seeding of the joint, and more than 80% had de novo infection with no prior antifungal therapy. Oligoarticular infection (2-3 joints) occurred in 45% and contiguous osteomyelitis was present in 61%. Clinical manifestations included pain (87%), edema (26%), and limited function (23%), with knees (35%), intervertebral discs (26%), and hips (16%) being most commonly infected. Aspergillus fumigatus constituted 77% of cases followed by Aspergillus flavus in 13%, Aspergillus niger in 3%, and not specified in 7%. Median ESR was 90 mm/hr and median CRP was 3.6 mg/dl. Median synovial fluid WBC was 17,200/µL (7,300-128,000) with 72% PMNs (range 61-92). Osteolysis occurred in 35%, and soft-tissue extension 47%. Nineteen patients (61%) were managed with combined medical and surgical therapy, 10 (32%) with medical therapy only, and 2 (6%) surgery only. Amphotericin B and itraconazole were the most frequently used agents with median duration of therapy of 219 days (range 30-545). Surgical interventions included debridement in 61%, drainage 19%, and amputation 6%. Complete or partial response was achieved in 71% and relapse occurred in 16%. Medical therapy was reinstituted with successful outcome in these patients. Overall survival was 65%. Aspergillus arthritis mainly develops as a de novo infection involving knees and intervertebral disks in immunocompromised patients with localizing symptoms. Contiguous osteomyelitis is frequently observed. Diagnosis is established by synovial fluid culture. Aspergillus arthritis is therapeutically challenging with most patients undergoing surgery and protracted antifungal therapy.

Thalidomide for steroid-dependent chronic disseminated candidiasis after stem cell transplantation: A case report.

Chronic disseminated candidiasis (CDC) is a rare and difficult-to-treat invasive fungal disease occurring mainly after prolonged and profound neutropenia. We describe the case of a 59-year-old man successfully treated with thalidomide for CDC recurrences after an autologous transplantation. We add evidence of the effectiveness of immunomodulatory drugs to manage inflammatory reconstitution immune syndrome-related refractory CDC.

Nebulized Liposomal Amphotericin B for Treatment of Pulmonary Infection Caused by Hormographiella aspergillata: Case Report and Literature Review.

Invasive fungal infection is a serious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Pulmonary infection due to Hormographiella aspergillata is an uncommon condition associated with a high mortality rate. The susceptibility of H. aspergillata to available antifungal agents is not well established. We report for the first time a case of H. aspergillata lung infection that responded poorly to conventional treatment with liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB; 3 mg kg-1 of body weight per day) with renal damage at higher posology (5 mg kg-1 of body weight per day), but improved rapidly after addition of nebulized LAmB to intravenous LAmB (3 mg kg-1 of body weight per day). Successful treatment of our patient using nebulized LAmB would be worth evaluating in cases refractory to standard treatment or when the reference treatment may not be extended due to interaction or side effects.

Absence of Fungal Spore Internalization by Bronchial Epithelium in Mouse Models Evidenced by a New Bioimaging Approach and Transmission Electronic Microscopy.

Clinical data and experimental studies suggest that bronchial epithelium could serve as a portal of entry for invasive fungal infections. We therefore analyzed the interactions between molds and the bronchial/bronchiolar epithelium at the early steps after inhalation. We developed invasive aspergillosis (Aspergillus fumigatus) and mucormycosis (Lichtheimia corymbifera) murine models that mimic the main clinical risk factors for these infections. Histopathology studies were completed with a specific computer-assisted morphometric method to quantify bronchial and alveolar spores and with transmission electron microscopy. Morphometric analysis revealed a higher number of bronchial/bronchiolar spores for A. fumigatus than L. corymbifera. The bronchial/bronchiolar spores decreased between 1 and 18 hours after inoculation for both fungi, except in corticosteroid-treated mice infected with A. fumigatus, suggesting an effect of cortisone on bronchial spore clearance. No increase in the number of spores of any species was observed over time at the basal pole of the epithelium, suggesting the lack of transepithelial crossing. Transmission electron microscopy did not show spore internalization by bronchial epithelial cells. Instead, spores were phagocytized by mononuclear cells on the apical pole of epithelial cells. Early epithelial internalization of fungal spores in vivo cannot explain the bronchial/bronchiolar epithelium invasion observed in some invasive mold infections. The bioimaging approach provides a useful means to accurately enumerate and localize the fungal spores in the pulmonary tissues.