Phialophora Mold Species
Phialophora
species is a causative agent of (Information from www.doctorfungus.org @ 2005)
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Taxonomic Classifications
Kingdom:
Fungi
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Ecology Phialophora species is a cosmopolitan, saprobic, dematiaceous filamentous fungus commonly found in soil, decomposing wood, and sub – aquatic debris in bodies of cold fresh water. A dematiaceous fungus is characterized by its darkly colored fungal body called as thallus due to the presence of melanin in the cell walls of its conidia, hyphae, or both.
Species The genus Phialophora has eight active species namely, Phialophora americana, Phialophora bubakii, Phialophora europaea, Phialophora parasitica, Phialophora reptans, Phialophora repens, Phialophora richardsiae, and Phialophora verrucosa. Phialophora europaea is a newly introduced species. The shape of the collarettes, organization of the phialides, existence of chlamydospores are the morphological features that help in differentiation of the species from one another as well as the species biochemical features such as the melibiose assimilation.
Pathogenicity and Health Effects Phialophora species are among the causative agents of chromoblastomycosis and phaeohyphomycosis. Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous infection characterized by verrucous lesions and the formation of brown, sclerotic fission cells which appear similar to copper pennies. Phialophora verrucosa is the chief causative agent of chromoblastomycosis in tropical and sub – tropical areas, especially in Japan and South America. The genus includes several species as well that are known to cause diverse clinical forms of phaeohyphomycosis which includes arthritis, cerebral infection, cutaneous infections, endocarditis, fatal hemorrhage, keratitis, subcutaneous cysts, osteomyelitis, and disseminated infection. Additionally, Phialophora europaea has been isolated from cutaneous and nail infections in North - western Europe
Macroscopic Appearance Ø Growth rate is moderately slow and the colony texture is wooly to velvety and may be heaped and granular in some isolates; Ø Colonies attain a diameter of 2 – 3 cm. following an incubation at 25°C for 7 days; and Ø Surface colony color is initially white becoming dark gray – green, brown or black while reverse is iron gray to black.
Microscopic Appearance Ø Septate hyphae, phialides, and conidia are present; Ø The hyphae are hyaline to brown, branched and measures up to 5 µm wide; Ø Phialides are pale brown to brown in color, typically flask – or bottle – shaped, are terminally or laterally located on the hyphae, and with varying length; Ø Clearly visible collarettes are found at the tips of the phialides and the collarettes shape varies from one species to another; and Ø Conidia are hyaline or brown, smooth, unicellular, with diverse shapes ranging from round to oval or cylindrical, and accumulate in masses at the tips of phialides with collarettes giving the appearance of a vase of flowers.
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Table 1. Differences in Microscopic Morphology of Phialophora species
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Laboratory Precautions Only general laboratory precautions are required, no special safety measures needed.
Susceptibility |
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The mycological information gathered and
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