Black Molds and Melanized Yeasts Pathogenic to Humans.
A review is given of melanized fungi involved in human infection, including species forming budding cells and strictly filamentous representatives. Classically, they are known as "phaeoid" or "dematiaceous" fungi, and, today, agents are recognized to belong to seven orders of fungi, of which the Chaetothyriales and Pleosporales are the most important. Infections range from cutaneous or pulmonary colonization to systemic or disseminated invasion. Subcutaneous involvement, either primary or after dissemination, may lead to host tissue proliferation of dermis or epidermis. Particularly in the Chaetothyriales, subcutaneous and systemic infections may occur in otherwise apparently healthy individuals. Infections are mostly chronic and require extended antifungal therapy and/or surgery.
Department of Medical Mycology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007, India.
Anuradha
A
Chowdhary
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center Durham, North Carolina 27710.
John
J
Perfect
CBS-KNAW Fungal Biodiversity Centre, 3508 AD Utrecht, The Netherlands.
G Sybren
GS
de Hoog
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009181:Mycoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015003:Yeasts / Q000472:pathogenicity*
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D008543:Melanins