DESCRIPTIONS OF MEDICAL FUNGI

Descriptions of Medical Fungi 21
Neosartorya fischeri (Wehmer) Malloch & Cain
Molecular Identification: N. fischeri can be distinguished from other members of
the section Fumigati by sequence analysis of β-tubulin, calmodulin and actin genes
(Samson et al. 2007; Balajee et al. 2005b). ITS sequencing is not recommended.
Antifungal Susceptibility: N. fischeri (Australian National data); MIC µg/mL.
No 16
AmB 8 1 5 2
VORI 8 1 3 3 1
POSA 8 4 1 1 2
ITRA 8 1 2 2 3
Aspergillus nidulans complex
Aspergillus subgenus Nidulantes; Gams et al. (1985) includes species with biseriate
conidial heads, brown pigmented often short stipes, and green conidia. Cleistothecia
are soft-walled, surrounded by Hülle cells, and ascospores are red to purple in colour.
Section Nidulantes is one of the largest subgenera of the genus Aspergillus, and
includes about 80 species. Several species have been reported as medical pathogens
principally Aspergillus nidulans, but also A. sydowii, A. unguis, A. rugulovalvus and A.
tetrazonus.
Molecular Identification: ITS sequencing is sufficient to identify to species complex
only. A. nidulans can be distinguished from other members of the section Nidulantes
by sequence analysis of β-tubulin, calmodulin and actin genes.
Aspergillus nidulans (Eidam) Wint.
Aspergillus nidulans is a typical soil fungus with a worldwide distribution, it has also
been reported to cause disease in human and animals.
RG-1 organism.
Morphological Description: On Czapek Dox agar, colonies are typically plain green
in colour with dark red-brown cleistothecia developing within and upon the conidial
layer. Reverse may be olive to drab-grey or purple-brown. Conidial heads are short,
columnar (up to 70 x 30 µm in diameter) and biseriate. Conidiophore stipes are usually
short, brownish and smooth-walled. Conidia are globose (3-3.5 µm in diameter) and
rough-walled.
Key Features: Conidial heads are short, columnar and biseriate. Stipes are usually
short, brownish and smooth-walled. Conidia are globose and rough-walled.