Fugomyces

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Fugomyces spp. This genus is a basidiomycetous mould. Species in this genus Fugomyces cyanescensNotes: The fungus has been long treated as Sporothrix cyanescens, but the genus Sporothrix is restricted to species that are ascomycetes and Fugomyces cyanescens is a basidiomycete. In 1987, this fungus was transferred as Cerinosterus cyanescens to a new genus established for Cerinosterus luteoalba (Moore RT. Micromorphology of yeasts and yeast-like fungi and its taxonomic implications. Stud. Mycol. 30:203-206, 1987). Later, phylogenic analysis and other characters indicated that C. cyanescens was substantially different from the type species for the genus Cerinosterus. Taxonomic […]

Fonsecaea

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Fonsecaea spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally classified as a dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungus. See also the detailed description page for this genus. Species in this genus Fonsecaea compacta F. compactum is an obsolete synonym of this species. Phialophora compactum is an obsolete synonym of this species. Rhinocladiella compactum is an obsolete synonym of this species. Fonsecaea compactum (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of F. compacta Fonsecaea dermatitidis (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of Wangiella dermatitidis […]

Fonsecaea Species

Fungi Descriptions

(described by Link ex Gray in 1821) Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Euascomycetes Order: Chaetothyriales Family: Herpotrichiellaceae Genus: Fonsecaea Description and Natural Habitats Fonsecaea is a pigmented (dematiaceous), filamentous fungus found in rotten wood and soil. It has no known teleomorphic phase. As well as being a saprophyte in nature, it causes infections in humans. Cold-blooded animals living in swamps may also be infected. Fonsecaea exhibits in vivo dimorphism; it produces a specific structure (sclerotic body) only in tissue and grows in mould form in laboratory conditions [462, 531, 1295, 2144, 2202]. Species The genus Fonsecaea contains two […]

Flucytosine

Drugs

Trade & Generic Names Flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine; 5-FC; 4-amino-5-fluoro-2-pyrimidone) is an antimetabolite type of antifungal drug. It is chemically a pyrimidine. It is activated by deamination within the fungal cells to 5-fluorouracil. Flucytosine is marketed as AncobonTM by Roche Laboratories. It is available as oral capsules since 1972 in USA. Its intravenous formulation is no longer available. Mechanism(s) of Action Flucytosine is the the only available antimetabolite drug having antifungal activity. It inhibits fungal protein synthesis by replacing uracil with 5-flurouracil in fungal RNA. Flucytosine also inhibits thymidylate synthetase via 5-fluorodeoxy-uridine monophosphate and thus interferes with fungal DNA synthesis [219, 2055]. […]

Fluconazole

Drugs

Manufacturer’s Prescribing Information Trade & Generic Names & General Features Fluconazole is a widely used bis-triazole antifungal agent. As with other triazoles, it has five-membered ring structures containing three nitrogen atoms. It is marketed as Diflucan® by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals ((E):http://www.pfizer.com(E):). Both oral and intravenous formulations of fluconazole are available. Mechanism(s) of Action As with all azole antifungal agents, fluconazole works principally by inhibition of cytochrome P450 14a-demethylase (P45014DM). This enzyme is in the sterol biosynthesis pathway that leads from lanosterol to ergosterol [1394, 1445, 1674]. Susceptibility Patterns Fluconazole is generally considered to be a fungistatic agent. It is principally active […]

Filobasidium

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Filobasidium spp. This genus is a basidiomycetous yeast. Species in this genus Filobasidium floriforme This species is a teleomorph of Cryptococcus albidus Filobasidium uniguttulatum This species is a teleomorph of Cryptococcus uniguttulatus

Filobasidiella

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Filobasidiella spp. This genus is a basidiomycetous yeast. Species in this genus Filobasidiella neoformans var. bacillispora (obsolete) This obsolete species is a teleomorph of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii This obsolete species is a synonym of F. neoformans var. neoformans Filobasidiella neoformans var. neoformans This species is a teleomorph of Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii This species is a teleomorph of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans F. neoformans var. bacillispora is an obsolete synonym of this species.

Fennellia

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Fennellia spp. This genus is an ascomycetous mould. Species in this genus Fennellia flavipes This species is a teleomorph of Aspergillus flavipes Fennellia nivea

Eye Infections

Mycoses

[ (A):Mycotic keratitis | (A):Endogenous oculomycosis | (A):Extension oculomycosis ] Mycotic keratitis Definition Mycotic keratitis refers to the corneal infection caused by either filamentous fungi (moulds) or yeast. There are important epidemiological and clinical differences (see table below) between these two forms. The most important risk factors related to fungal keratitis include trauma (generally with plant material), chronic ocular surface diseases, contact lens usage, surgery, corneal anesthetic abuse, and immunodeficiencies [432, 1139, 1963, 2223]. Interestingly, fungal keratitis is a condition related to warm climates [1341]. In the southernmost states of the United States, fungal keratitis explains up to 35% […]

Exserohilum

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Exserohilum spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally classified as a dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungus. Synonyms and Teleomorph-Anamorph Relationships Luttrellia is an obsolete synonym of this genus Species in this genus Exserohilum halodes (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of E. rostratum Exserohilum longirostratum Exserohilum mcginnisii Exserohilum rostratum Bipolaris halodes is an obsolete synonym of this species. Bipolaris rostrata is an obsolete synonym of this species. Drechslera halodes is an obsolete synonym of this species. Drechslera longirostrata is an obsolete […]

Exserohilum Species

Fungi Descriptions

(described by Leonard & Suggs in 1974) Taxonomic classification Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Euascomycetes Order: Pleosporales Family: Pleosporaceae Genus: Exserohilum Description and Natural Habitats Exserohilum is a phaeoid or dematiaceous filamentous fungus. It is cosmopolitan in nature inhabiting plant material, particularly grasses, and soil. Teleomorphs are contained within the genus Setosphaeria. Species The common clinical species includes E. rostratum and E. longirostratum. Exserohilum mcginisii is rarely reported. More than 20 other species are known worldwide, some of which are host-specific. Synonyms See the summary of synonyms and teleomorph-anamorph relations for Exserohilum spp. Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance Exserohilium is one […]

Exserohilum rostratum

Fungi Descriptions

(Drechsler) Leonard & Suggs (1974) Macroscopic morphology Colonies on potato dextrose agar at 25°C are dark gray to olivaceous black with a black reverse. Rapid growth. Texture is woolly to cottony. Microscopic morphology Hyphae are septate and dark. Conidiophores may be up to 200 µm long, are septate, nonbranched, geniculate, and become pale near the apex. Conidia are olivaceous brown, straight to slightly curved, ellipsoidal to rostrate (beaklike), contain 4-14 but typically 7-9 disto- or pseudosepta, have prominent, dark basal and distal septa, a strongly protruding truncate hilum, and measure 15-200 x 7-29 µm. Special notes Although E. rostratum is […]

Exserohilum longirostratum

Fungi Descriptions

(Subram.) Sivan. (1984) Macroscopic morphology Colonies on potato dextrose agar at 25°C are dark gray to olivaceous black with a black reverse. Rapid growth. Texture is woolly to cottony. Microscopic morphology Hyphae are septate and brown. Conidiophores are up to 200 µm long, septate, simple, geniculate, and become pale near the apex. Conidia are olivaceous brown, broadest at the basal end with a strongly protruding truncate basal hilum, contain 13-21 distosepta or pseudosepta, and narrow gradually towards the apex into a long beak. Conidia have prominent dark basal and distal septa, frequently display a curvature in the middle, and measure […]

Exophiala

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Exophiala spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally classified as a dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungus. See also the detailed description page for this genus. Synonyms and Teleomorph-Anamorph Relationships Capronia is a teleomorph of this genus Foxia is an obsolete synonym of this genus Species in this genus Exophiala castellanii Aureobasidium mansonii is an obsolete synonym of this species. Cladosporium mansonii is an obsolete synonym of this species. Dematium mansonii is an obsolete synonym of this species. E. jeanselmei var. castellanii is […]

Exophiala Species

Fungi Descriptions

(described by Carmichael in 1966) Taxonomic classification Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Order: Chaetothyriales Genus: Exophiala Description and Natural Habitats Exophiala is a dematiaceous fungus widely distributed in soil, plants, water, and decaying wood material. As well as being a saprophyte in nature, it is the causative agent of various human infections [531, 1295, 2202]. Species The genus Exophiala contains several species. The most common ones are Exophiala castellanii, Exophiala jeanselmei, Exophiala moniliae, Exophila pisciphila, Exophiala salmonis, and Exophiala spinifera. Exophiala jeanselmei currently has two varieties: Exophiala jeanselmei var. heteromorpha and Exophiala jeanselmei var. lecanii-corni. Several morphological and physiological differences aid […]

Evaluating Patients with Mould-Related Questions FAQ

Environmental Assessment

Homeowner FAQ More resources Overview The evaluation of patients with mould-related complaints is often difficult. Real illness and simply anxiety are often intermingled. This situation is made even more difficult by the absence of easily applied diagnostic tools. This FAQ list addresses some of the more common questions in this area. FAQ What sorts of moulds are typical in the environment? Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Penicillium are the most commonly found moulds. Stachybotrys is usually present in only small amounts [96, 745]. Do I need to know what sort of mould is in the environment? Not always. All of them […]

Epidermophyton

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Epidermophyton spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally regarded as a dermatophyte. See also the detailed description page for this genus. Notes on this Genus Sabouraud 1907 Species in this genus Epidermophyton clypeiforme (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of E. floccosum Epidermophyton floccosum Notes: (Harz) Langeron et Miolchevitch 1930 Acrothecium floccosum is an obsolete synonym of this species. E. clypeiforme is an obsolete synonym of this species. E. inguinale is an obsolete synonym of this species. E. plicarum […]

Epidermophyton Species

Fungi Descriptions

Link ex Steudel, 1824 Taxonomic Classification Kingdom: Fungi Phylum: Ascomycota Class: Euascomycetes Order: Onygenales Family: Arthrodermataceae Genus: Epidermophyton Description and Natural Habitats Epidermophyton is a filamentous fungus and one of the three fungal genera classified as dermatophytes. It is distributed worldwide. Man is the primary host of Epidermophyton floccosum, the only species which is pathogenic. The natural habitat of the related but the nonpathogenic species Epidermophyton stockdaleae is soil [529, 1295, 2202]. Species The genus Epidermophyton contains two species; Epidermophyton floccosum and Epidermophyton stockdaleae. E. stockdaleae is known to be nonpathogenic, leaving E. floccosum as the only species causing infections […]

Epicoccum

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Epicoccum spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally classified as a dematiaceous (dark-walled) fungus. See also the detailed description page for this genus. Species in this genus Epicoccum nigrum (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of E. purpurascens Epicoccum purpurascens E. nigrum is an obsolete synonym of this species.

Epicoccum

Fungi Descriptions

(described by Link ex Steudel in 1824) Description and Natural Habitats Epicoccum is a dematiaceous mitosporic mould widely distributed and commonly isolated from air, soil and foodstuff. It is found also in some animals and textiles. It is the common causative agent of leaf spots of various plants. Species The genus Epicoccum contains a single species, Epicoccum purpurascens. Synonyms See the summary of synonyms for the Epicoccum sp. Pathogenicity and Clinical Significance There are no documented cases of Epicoccum infection in humans or animals. Epicoccum is occasionally isolated from clinical samples. However, Epicoccum has not been documented as a pathogen […]

Environmental Moulds in the Home FAQ

Environmental Assessment

Overview We often receive questions about evaluation of individuals exposed (or potentially exposed) to fungi or mycotoxins. The questions typically run along the following lines. For an organized discussion of the entire issue of environmental moulds, you should start at the beginning of our environmental mycoses section and read through all the pages (including this page). However, if you are in a hurry, you can start with the short answers that follow on this page. I have learned that my building is contaminated with fungi. I think I may have inhaled, breathed, or touched fungus-contaminated materials or air. I am […]

Environmental Mould-Related Resources

Environmental Assessment

Overview There are many useful resources on the web for environmental mould-related issues. We provide specific references on our environmental mould-related pages, but the items listed here are all readily downloaded and are unusually helpful. If you want to read more deeply, this is the place to start. In many cases, we provide two links to a document. One link is to the document as we found it, another is to the website that held the link to the document. As websites do get re-arranged from time to time, we usually provide both types of links in an effort to […]

Environmental & Industrial Fungal Infestations

Environmental Assessment, Mycoses

How to look for mould Environmental mycology covers issues in facilities that range from industrial settings where fungi impact manufacturing processes, to home and work environments where human health may be an issue. There currently is extensive interest in understanding the health implications of fungi in indoor environments. Questions related to these issues are among the most common types of questions received by DoctorFungus. The key current challenges in this area are: How does one detect and measure the presence of indoor fungi? What is an acceptable level of indoor fungi? How do we relate this information to human health […]

Entomophthora

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Entomophthora spp. This genus is a zygomecetous mould. Species in this genus Entomophthora coronata (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of Conidiobolus coronatus Entomophthora muscae

Endomycopsis

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Endomycopsis spp. This genus name is obsolete. This genus is an ascomycetous yeast. Synonyms and Teleomorph-Anamorph Relationships This obsolete genus is a synonym of Guillermondella Species in this genus Endomycopsis burtonii (obsolete)This obsolete species is a synonym of Hyphopichia burtonii Endomycopsis chodatii (obsolete)This obsolete species is a synonym of Hyphopichia burtonii Endomycopsis mali var. faecalis (obsolete)Trichosporon faecale is a synonym of this obsolete species.

Endomyces

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Endomyces spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. Species in this genus Endomyces anomalus (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of Pichia anomala Endomyces capsulatus (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of Blastomyces dermatitidis Endomyces geotrichum (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of Galactomyces geotrichum Endomyces lactis (obsolete) This obsolete species is a synonym of Geotrichum candidum

Empirical Therapy of Fungal Infections in the Neutropenic Child or Adult

Empiric Therapy

Overview Iatrogenically-induced neutropenia is the most important risk factor for invasive fungal infections [270, 830]. Three groups of patients comprise the majority of cases in this category [266]: Cancer patients who have received cytotoxic chemotherapy Bone marrow transplant recipients And to a lesser extent, Solid organ transplant recipients In addition to neutropenia, these patients are commonly exposed to the (A):usual risk factors for invasive candidiasis such as receipt of multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics, use of central venous catheters, and colonization with Candida. Neutropenic children and adults with persistent fever despite broad-spectrum antibiotics have a 20% risk of developing an invasive fungal […]

Empirical Therapy of Fungal Infections in the Neonate

Empiric Therapy

Overview Neonates, especially low birth weight infants, are at high risk to develop certain invasive fungal infections. Among them, neonatal candidiasis explains the large majority of cases [163, 164, 350, 1128]. Many of the therapeutic interventions these babies require are among the (A):usual risk factors for invasive candidiasis. Other fungal agents causing invasive diseases in neonates include N/A(L):Aspergillus fumigatus and N/A(L):Trichosporon beigelii [1278, 1977]. Unfortunately, there are no diagnostic tools that allow a clear and early identification of the sepsis syndrome produced by invasive fungal infections in this population. Therefore, even when empirical therapy to treat early occult fungal infections […]

Empiric Therapy of Fungal Infections

Empiric Therapy

Empirical Therapy of Fungal Infections in the Non-neutropenic Child or Adult Overview Invasive candidiasis represents the most important and frequent fungal infection in non-neutropenic children and adults [247, 339, 436, 1416, 2147]. Patients at high risk include: Surgical patients Burn patients Heroin addicts The risk for any form of disseminated candidiasis increases with the presence of the usual risk factors for invasive candidiasis: Use of multiple antibiotics Central venous catheters Parenteral hyperalimentation Steroids Candidal colonization Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic tool that allows a clear and early identification of the syndrome produced by invasive candidiasis in any of the previously […]

Emmonsia

Synonyms

Synonym and Classification Data for Emmonsia spp. This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti. See also the detailed description page for this genus. Notes on this Genus The designation of “dimorphic” is sometimes also applied to this genus as its members may produce a special structure called an “adiaspore” at 37 or 40°C. Adiaspores are thick-walled, enlarged conidia that may be uni- or multinucleate. This dimorphism is not a true dimorphism (i.e., it is not the same as for Histoplasma capsulatum) as there is no mould-to-yeast conversion at 37°C. […]