Species/common name: Lichtheimia ramosa (syn. Mycocladus ramosus, Absidia ramosa) |
Natural habitat Most common in soil and decaying plant debris and foodstuffs. |
Geography Worldwide distribution. |
Frequency Like other Zygomycetes, frequency of infection is more common with immunocompromised hosts. However, it is becoming increasingly common in individuals without predisposing factors (e.g. in traumatic injuries). |
Diseases This fungus is one of only a few Mucormycotina that can cause disease in humans and animals. Humans: Associated with cutaneous, pulmonary, rhinocerebral, central nervous system and disseminated infections. Animals: Often associated with mycotic abortion. |
Culture peculiarities Great expertise required to differentiate from L. corymbifera. It is advisable to identify by means of sequencing ITS fragment. Fast growing; pale white turning grey with age. Microscopically, sporangiospores ellipsoidal to cylindrical or subspherica. Higer growth rate than L. corymbifera especially at higher temperatures. |
Antifungal resistance (intrinsic and acquired) All isolates are intrinsically resistant to fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole and the echinocandins. Usually susceptible to amphotericin B and posaconazole. Variably susceptible to itraconazole. Some studies indicate that this species shows in vitro higher MICs than L. corymbifera. |
Biosafety level 2 This organism can be handled in a biosafety level 2 laboratory. |
Industrial use Used in some studies of thermophilic moulds. |
Images
Microscopic morphology of L. ramosa