Exophiala asiatica, a new species from a fatal case in China.
We describe a new species, Exophiala asiatica, isolated from an infection of the pharynx in a 20-year-old, immunocompetent woman in Nanjing, China. The infection was initiated by a fishbone prick in the pharynx, soon developed with facial nodules but subsequently seemed to have disappeared. Tonsil ulceration with progressive soreness of the pharynx was observed 3 years later. Dysphagia, headache and paralysis occurred four years after first signs of infection. Hyphae and yeast-like cells were detected in tissue and a black fungus was recovered repeatedly from pharynx tissue. Despite antifungal therapy for more than one year, the patient died of apparent cerebral dissemination of the etiologic agent. On the basis of morphology, nutritional physiology, ribosomal small subunit DNA and ITS sequence data the strain could not be matched with any existing species. A new species, Exophiala asiatica, is therefore proposed.
Li
Dong Ming
DM
Department of Dermatology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China.
Li
Ruo Yu
RY
De Hoog
G S
GS
Wang
Yu Xin
YX
Wang
Duan Li
DL
D000328:Adult; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D002681:China; D004271:DNA, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000032:analysis; D005093:Exophiala / Q000145:classification* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D009181:Mycoses / Q000382:microbiology*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004271:DNA, Fungal; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer