Species name and common name: Fonsecaea pedrosoi complex which includes F. monophora and the previously named species F. compacta, now incorporated in F. pedrosoi complex. Teleomorph: Hormodendrum pedrosoi |
Natural habitat Rotten wood and soil |
Geography Worldwide distribution, especially in humid areas. |
Frequency Unknown. |
Diseases It is the main agent of human chromoblastomycosis. It has also been isolated from cases of keratitis, paranasal sinusitis and brain abscess. |
Culture peculiarities Colonies are slow growing, lanose to velvety, olivaceous to black. Microscopically it is characterized by dark brown hyphae and suberect conidiophores loosely branched. Phialides with funnel-shaped collarettes and/or simpodial growth might be present. All strains grow at 37C but not at 40C. |
Antifungal resistance (intrinsic and acquired) Some strains show elevated MICs to AMB. Echinocandins have none or low activity against this species. |
Biosafety level 2 This organism can be handled in a biosafety level 2 laboratory. |
Industrial use: None. |
Images
High power image of a typical image of highly characteristic 'muriform' cells seen histologically during infection. Muriform bodies have a brown (melanin) surface layer and are seen within a chronic inflammatory infiltrate with granulomas and micro abscesses.
Tpyical micromorphology of F. pedrosoi complex.
Scanning electromicrograph image of F. pedrosoi complex.