DESCRIPTIONS OF MEDICAL FUNGI

Descriptions of Medical Fungi 93
Morphologically the genus Fonsecaea is defined by the presence of indistinct
melanised conidiophores with blunt, scattered denticles bearing conidia singly or in
short chains that eventually become branched. de Hoog et al. (2004b) revised the
genus on the basis of ITS sequencing data. Three species from humans are currently
recognised, F. monophora, F. nubica, and F. pedrosoi, although they are morphologically
indistinguishable (Najafzadeh et al. 2009, 2010b; Xi et al. 2009, de Hoog et al. 2015).
All strains grow at 37 O C but not at 40 O C and the three species are recognised as
aetiological agents of chromoblastomycosis.
Morphological Description: Colonies are slow growing, flat to heaped and folded,
suede-like to downy, olivaceous to black with black reverse. Conidiogenous cells pale
olivaceous, arranged in loosely branched systems, with prominent denticles. Conidia
pale olivaceous, clavate to ellipsoidal, in short chains, subhyaline, smooth and thinwalled,
3.5-5 x 1.5-2 µm.
RG-2 organism.
Fonsecaea complex
Molecular Identification: ITS sequencing is recommended for species identification
(Abliz et al. 2003, Najafzadeh et al. 2009, 2010b, Xi et al. 2009).
References: McGinnis (1980), Dixon and Polak-Wyss (1991), de Hoog et al. (2000,
2004b, 2015), Abliz et al. 2003, Najafadeh et al. (2009, 2010a, 2010b).
10 µm
Fonsecaea complex conidiophores and conidia.
Antifungal Susceptibility: F. pedrosoi (Australian National data); MIC µg/mL.
No. 16
AmB 4 1 3
VORI 4 1 3
POSA 4 1 2 1
ITRA 4 1 3