1. Paecilomyces spp.

The genus Paecilomyces may be distinguished from the closely related genus Penicillium by having
long slender divergent phialides and colonies that are never typically green. Paecilomyces species
are common environmental moulds and are seldom associated with human infection. However, the
species, P. variotii and P. marquandii are emerging as causative agents of mycotic keratitis and of
hyalohyphomycosis in the immunocompromised patient. Note: Paecilomyces lilacinus has been
transferred to Purpureocillium lilacinum

Paecilomyces lilacinus

Paecilomyces lilacinus, a common soil fungus, produces distinctive lilac-colored colonies. This strain
was isolated from infected nematode eggs in the Philippines. Unlike many other strains of
Paecilomyces lilacinus, this strain does not produce toxins that can harm other organisms.

2. Penicillium spp.

Penicillium is a very large and ubiquitous genus which currently contains 354 accepted species.
Many species are common contaminants on various substrates and are known as potential
mycotoxin producers. Correct identification is therefore important when studying possible
Penicillium contamination of food. Human pathogenic species are rare, however opportunistic
infections leading to mycotic keratitis, otomycosis and endocarditis (following insertion of valve
prosthesis) have been reported

Penicillium chrysogenum

They are usually found in the air, soil, or decaying materials and are associated with infections as
well as mycotoxins. Contrary to this, some fungi in this genus (such as Penicillium chrysogenum)
have beneficial characteristics.

3. Scopulariopsis spp.

Scopulariopsis is a filamentous fungus that inhabits soil, plant material, feathers, and insects. It is
distributed worldwide. Several species of Scopulariopsis have teleomorphs which are classified in
the genus Microascus. While Scopulariopsis is commonly considered as a contaminant, it may
cause infections in humans, particularly in immunocompromised patients. It is a weakly
keratinolytic fungus which is highly resistant to benomyl [531, 1295, 2192, 2202].

Scopulariopsis brevicaulis
 4. Trichoderma spp.

Trichoderma is a genus of fungi that is present in all soils, where they are the most prevalent culturable
fungi. Many species in this genus can be characterized as opportunistic avirulent plant symbionts. This
refers to the ability of several Trichoderma species to form mutualistic endophytic relationships with
several plant species.

Trichoderma viride

Trichoderma viride is a fungus and a biofungicide. It is used for seed and soil treatment for
suppression of various diseases caused by fungal pathogens.

5. Alternaria spp.

A ubiquitous genus containing common saprophytes in soil and air, and plant pathogens. A.
infectoria is the most common clinical species. Although usually seen as saprophytic
contaminants, Alternaria species in particular A. alternata and A. infectoria are recognised
causative agents of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis and mycotic keratitis. They are a rare
cause of onychomycosis, usually following trauma to the nail.

Alternaria alternata

Alternaria alternata is a fungus which has been recorded causing leaf spot and other diseases
on over 380 host species of plant. It is an opportunistic pathogen on numerous hosts causing
leaf spots, rots and blights on many plant parts.

6. Fusarium spp.

Most Fusarium species are soil fungi and have a worldwide distribution. Some are plant
pathogens, causing root and stem rot, vascular wilt or fruit rot. Several species have emerged as
important opportunistic pathogens in humans causing hyalohyphomycosis.

Fusarium solani

Fusarium solani the most common Fusarium species recovered in humans and animals.

7. Curvularia spp.

Curvularia is a hyphomycete (mold) fungus which is a facultative pathogen of many plant

species and of the soil. Most Curvularia are found in tropical regions, though a few are found in
temperate zones.
 Curvularia lunata

Cochliobolus lunatus is a fungal plant pathogen that can cause disease in humans and other
animals. The anamorph of this fungus is known as Curvularia lunata, while Cochliobolus
lunatus denotes the teleomorph or sexual state.

8. Cladosporium spp.

Cladosporium species are ubiquitous worldwide, and commonly isolated from soil and
organic matter. They represent the most frequently isolated airborne fungi. The genus has
undergone a number of revisions. The well-known thermotolerant ‘true human-pathogenic
species, formerly known as C. bantiana, C. carrionii and C. devriesii, characterised by the
absence of conidiophores, and unpigmented conidial scars, were reclassified in
Cladophialophora (de Hoog et al. 1995, Bensch et al. 2012). The remaining species of
medical interest were C. cladosporioides, C. herbarum, C. oxysporum, and C. sphaerospermum. More recently, extensive
revisions based on polyphasic approaches have recognised 169 species, and demonstrated that C. cladosporioides, C.
herbarum and C. sphaerospermum are species complexes encompassing several sibling species that can only be
distinguished by phylogenetic analyses.

Cladophialophora bantiana

ladophialophora bantiana is a dematiaceous fungus known to cause brain abscesses in

humans. It is one of the most common forms of cerebral chromoblastomycosis that has
been isolated from humans

9. Mucor spp.

The genus Mucor contains about 50 recognised taxa, many of which have widespread
occurrence and are of considerable economic importance (Zycha et al. 1969, Schipper
1978, Domsch et al. 1980). However, only a few thermotolerant species are of medical
importance and human infections are only rarely reported. Most infections reported list
M. circinelloides and similar species such as M. indicus, M. ramosissimus, M. irregularis
and M. amphibiorum as the causative agents. However, M. hiemalis and M. racemosus
have also been reported as infectious agents, although their inability to grow at
temperatures above 32C raises doubt as to their validity as human pathogens and their pathogenic role may be limited to
cutaneous infections (Scholer et al. 1983, Goodman and Rinaldi 1991, Kwon-Chung and Bennett 1992, de Hoog et al.
2000, 2015).

Mucor indicus

M. indicus is among the most important members of zygomycetes fungi. This

dimorphic fungus is capable of production of several valuable products. Some strains
of the fungus have been isolated from the traditional Indonesian food tempeh.
 10. Rhizopus spp.

A molecular phylogenetic study of the genus Rhizopus by Abe et al. (2010) recognised
eight species; R. caespitosus, R. delemar, R. homothallicus, R. microsporus, R. arrhizus (R.
oryzae), R. reflexus, R. schipperae and R. stolonifer. Based on these results and confirmed
by Dolatabadi et al. (2014) the previous varieties of Rhizopus microsporus (R. microsporus
var. oligosporus and R. microsporus var. rhizopodiformis) have been reduced to
synonyms. In addition, R. azygosporus has been reduced to a synonym of R. microsporus.
Finally, the controversy surrounding which species name to use for R. oryzae - R. arrhizus has been resolved in favour of
the latter (Ellis 1985, de Hoog et al. 2015). Thus the important medical pathogens have now been reduced to just R.
arrhizus and R. microsporus. These two species are the most common causative agents of mucormycosis, accounting for
some 60% of the reported cases.

Rhizopus microspores

hizopus microsporus is a fungal plant pathogen infecting maize, sunflower, and rice. Used in
the preparation of traditional soy fermentation such as tempeh and sufu.

11. Syncephalastrum spp

Syncephalastrum is a filamentous fungus that is commonly isolated from soil and animal
feces particularly in tropical and subtropical areas. It is a heterothallic fungus and requires a
mating strain to produce zygospores. Syncephalastrum is commonly considered as a
contaminant. It is very rarely associated with human disease.

Syncephalastrum racemosum

Syncephalastrum racemosum (monotypic) is common but comprises a small proportion of

the fungal biota. This organism is widely regarded as being nonpathogenic to humans, with
only a single case of a cutaneous infection reported (1980). No information is available
regarding toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. May be identified on surfaces by tape
lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by culturable (Andersen) sampling. (Spores
do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as "other colorless" on spore
trap samples.) Recorded isolations are from dung and soil, primarily in tropical and
subtropical areas.

12. Candidia albicans

Candida albicans (sometimes referred to as monilia) is a fungus that is normally present on

the skin and in mucous membranes such as the vagina, mouth, or rectum. The fungus also
can travel through the blood stream and affect the throat, intestines, and heart valves.

Candida albicans becomes an infectious agent when there is some change in the body
environment that allows it to grow out of control.

13. Cryptococcus neoformans

is a fungus that lives in the environment throughout the world. People can become
infected with C. neoformans after breathing in the microscopic fungus, although most
people who are exposed to the fungus never get sick from it.
 14. Geotrichum spp.

Geotrichum is a genus of fungi found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in
plants, cereals, and dairy products; it is also commonly found in normal human flora and is
isolated from sputum and feces.

Geotrichum candidum

Geotrichum candidum is a fungus which is a member of the human microbiome, notably

associated with skin, sputum and feces where it occurs in 25-30% of specimens.

15. Actinomyces Israeli

Actinomyces israelii is a filamentous anaerobic to microaerophilic bacteria which is a gram-

positive, non-spore forming, and non-acid-fast bacillus (Actinomyces israelii).

16. Sporothrix schenkii

Sporothrix schenckii is a fungus that can be found world-wide in the environment. The
species is present in soil as well as in and on living and decomposing plant material such as
peat moss. It can infect humans as well as animals and is the causative agent of
sporotrichosis, commonly known as "rose handler's disease".

17. Coccidioides immitis

Coccidioides immitis is a dimorphic fungus that exists in two distinct forms, saprophytic and
parasitic. In the soil, the organism exists as a mold with septated hyphae resembling a
shape of a barrel. When entering a host, the arthroconidia (spores) break off from the
hyphae and evolve into round structures called spherules. Then when inside the host,
spherules grow and undergo internal division, forming smaller structures called
endospores. Large spherules can rupture to release packets of endospores, resulting in
new foci of infection within the host. The main habitat ofCoccidioides immitis is in soil

18. Histoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum (also known as "Cave disease", "Darling's disease", "Ohio valley
disease", "reticuloendotheliosis", "spelunker's lung" and "caver's disease") is a disease
caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Symptoms of this infection vary greatly, but
the disease affects primarily the lungs.

19. Blastomyces dermatitis

Blastomyces dermatitidis is the causal agent of blastomycosis, an invasive and often serious
fungal infection found occasionally in humans and other animals in regions where the
fungus is endemic. In an infected human or animal, however, it converts in growth form and
becomes a large-celled budding yeast.
 20. Paracoccidioides braziliensis

Paracoccidioidomycosis is a systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Strong evidence indicates this fungus infects the host
through the respiratory tract. The most common form, the so-called adult form of
paracoccidioidomycosis, is almost certainly a reactivation of the disease.

21. Malassezia furfur

Malassezia furfur is a species of fungus that is naturally found on the skin surfaces of
including humans and associated with seborrhoeic dermatitis. Malassezia furfur lives on
the epithelial cells of humans where it consumes the natural oils and fats we excrete. It
can be found mostly on the chest, shoulders, and arms, and is more prevalent on people
of Caucasian descent and adults over the age of 12. Malassezia furfur is the primary
causative agent of Pityriasis versicolor, a skin disease in humans that causes either
hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation of the skin, scaly, slow-growing skin, and
itchiness.

22. Phaeoannellomyces werneckii

Tinea nigra is an uncommon superficial dermatomycosis usually caused by Hortaea

werneckii, formerly known as Phaeoannellomyces werneckii, (formerly classified as
Exophiala werneckii and Cladosporium werneckii). Tinea nigra may also be due to
Stenella araguata, first described and named Cladosporium castellanii in 1973. Tinea
nigra appears as a hyperpigmented macule, which usually occurs on the palms. The
soles and, more rarely, other areas of the body, can also be affected

23. Trichosporon beigelii

Trichosporon beigelii is a species of fungus in the family Trichosporonaceae. It is a yeast

that was formerly considered to be the cause of an unpleasant hair condition called
white piedra and also the cause of a more serious severe opportunistic infection
(trichosporonosis) in immunocompromised individuals.

24. Piedraia hortae

Piedraia hortae is a superficial fungus that exists in the soils of tropical and subtropical
environments and affects both sexes of all ages. The fungus grows very slowly, forming
dark hyphae, which contain chlamydoconidia cells and black colonies when grown on
agar. Piedraia hortae is a dermatophyte and causes a superficial fungal infection known
as black piedra, which causes the formation of black nodules on the hair shaft and
leads to progressive weakening of the hair. The infection usually infects hairs on the
scalp and beard, but other varieties tend to grow on pubic hairs. The infection is usually
treated with cutting or shaving of the hair and followed by the application of anti-
fungal and topical agents. The fungus is used for cosmetic purposes to darken hair in
some societies as a symbol of attractiveness.
TERMS:
A. Conidiophores - in certain fungi a conidium-bearing hypha
or filament.
B. Macroconidia -the larger of two distinctively different-sized types
of conidia in a single species, thick- or thin-walled and composed of
2 to 10 cells. Characteristic of most dermatophytes and some other
genera Histoplasma, Fusarium.
C. Sterigmata - it commonly refers to an extension of the basidium (the
spore-bearing cells) consisting of a basal filamentous part and a
slender projection which carries a spore at the tip. The sterigmata
are formed on the basidium as it develops and undergoes meiosis, to
result in the production of (typically) four nuclei. The nuclei
gradually migrate to the tips of the basidium, and one nucleus will
migrate into each spore that develops at the tip of each sterigma.
D. Micronidia - a conidium of the smaller of two types produced by the
same species and often differing in shape (as in members of the genus
Fusarium)
E. Myecelium - Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus or fungus-
like bacterial colony, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like
hyphae. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called shiro, especially
within the fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelium are
found in and on soil and many other substrates.
F. Sporangiophores - a specialized hypha bearing sporangia.
G. Rhizoid - a filamentous outgrowth or root hair on the underside of
the thallus in some lower plants, especially mosses and liverworts,
serving both to anchor the plant and (in terrestrial forms) to
conduct water.
H. Arthrosphores - Fragmentation or disarticulation of existing hyphae
is a common mechanism for spore formation.
I. White Piedra - is an unusual asymptomatic superficial fungal
infection of the hair, characterized by the presence of numerous,
discrete, soft, asymptomatic nodules loosely attached to the infected
hair shafts. It may occur on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, beard,
axilla or in the groin.
J. Black Piedra - involving the hairs of the scalp, caused by Piedraia
hortae and characterized by firmly adherent black, hard, gritty
nodules composed of an organized, firmly cemented mass of fungus
cells.
Flores, Carla L.
BS Medtech 3A
Mrs. Ernalyn Damas, RMT