Lecythophora Mold SpeciesLecythophora species is a rare causative agent of Endocarditis.(Information from A Clinical Laboratory Handbook: Identifying Filamentous Fungi )
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Taxonomic Classifications
Kingdom:
Fungi
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Ecology Lecythophora species are cosmopolitan and are occasionally isolated from soil and from plant debris.
Species The genus Lecythophora is a mold that lacks a known sexual state thus, is categorized under Fungi Imperfecti. It is generally classified as a dematiaceous fungus which is mainly attributed to its darkly colored fungal body due to the presence of melanin in the cell walls of its conidia, hyphae or both. There are three species classified under this genus namely, Lecythophora hoffmannii, Lecythophora lignicola, and Lecythophora mutabilis.
Pathogenicity and Health Effects Only two cases of cases of endocarditis have been reported from humans, one of gluteal abscess - and one of peritonitis which is an inflammation of the peritoneum tissue lining of the abdominal wall and most of the organs in the abdomen.
Macroscopic Appearance Ø Growth rate is moderately rapid and texture is initially slimy becoming lightly downy at the center of the colony; and Ø Both surface and reverse colony color is pale pink to salmon, however, becoming pale to deep brown at times.
Microscopic Appearance Ø Hyaline and septate hyphae, adelophialides, conidia and chlamydospores are present; Ø Adelophialides are type of phialides which are not septated at the base, short, cylindrical or conical in form, may often appear solitary, sometimes in groups that are arranged in short lateral filaments, however, phialides with septate bases are sometimes present; Ø Conidia are hyaline, ellipsoidal to cylindrical in shape but may be slightly curved at times, and may give rise to secondary conidia occasionally; Ø Brown – colored chlamydospores may sometimes be present.
Laboratory Precautions Only general laboratory precautions are required, no special safety measures needed.
Susceptibility |
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The mycological information gathered and A Clinical Laboratory Handbook: Identifying Filamentous Fungi by St. Germain, Guy and R. Summerbell.
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