DESCRIPTIONS OF MEDICAL FUNGI

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Descriptions of Medical Fungi
Nannizzia persicolor (Sabouraud) Stockdale
Synonymy: Microsporum persicolor (Sabouraud) Guiart & Grigorakis
Nannizzia persicolor is a zoophilic fungus often occurring as a saprophyte on voles
and bats. A rare cause of tinea corporis in humans. Not known to invade hair in vivo,
but produces hair perforations in vitro. Distribution: Africa, Australia, Europe and North
America. RG-2 organism.
Morphological Description: Colonies are generally flat, white to pinkish in colour, with
a suede-like to granular texture and peripheral fringe. Reverse pigmentation is orange
to red. Macroconidia are thin-walled, cigar-shaped, four to seven-celled, 40-60 x 6-8
µm but are only rarely produced. Microconidia are abundant, spherical to pyriform.
Key Features: Microscopic morphology and culture characteristics.
Molecular Identification: ITS sequencing is recommended.
References: Rebell and Taplin (1970), Rippon (1988), Gräser et al. (2008), Cafarchia
et al. (2013), de Hoog et al. (2015, 2016).
a
b
Nannizzia persicolor (a) culture and (b) microconidia.
20 µm