Synonym and Classification Data for Pythium spp.

This genus is not a fungus, but is listed here because of its historical relationship(s) with medical mycology.

Notes on this Genus

Pythium spp. are plant pathogens that produce motile oospores. Organisms of this genus are sometimes called aquatic fungi, but they really are not considered to be true fungi. Depending on who you ask, these organisms may now actually be placed into a new Kingdom, Kingdom Stramenopila. Anyway, they are often studied as part of medical mycology due to their ability to produce a chronic granulomatous process in which one sees hyphal structures. The disease is sometimes called “swamp cancer” due to its association with water exposure. Therapy of pythiosis is difficult and surgery is often used. There are recent reports of successful therapy with vaccines (Thitithanyanont et al., Clin Infect Dis 27:1394, 1998) and with medical therapy using a combination of itraconazole and terbinafine (Shenep et al., Clin Infect Dis 27:1388, 1998). Leonel Mendoza has provided a (E):set of web pages on this fungus.

Species in this genus

  • Pythium destruens (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of P. insidiosum

  • Pythium gracile (obsolete)

    This obsolete species is a synonym of P. insidiosum

  • Pythium insidiosum

    Hyphomyces destruens is an obsolete synonym of this species.
    P. destruens is an obsolete synonym of this species.
    P. gracile is an obsolete synonym of this species.