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.