title: Identification and characterization ofDaldinia eschscholtziiisolated from skin scrapings, nails, and blood.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Daldinia eschscholtziiis a filamentous wood-inhabiting endophyte commonly found in woody plants. Here, we report the identification and characterization of nineD. eschscholtziiisolates from skin scrapings, nail clippings, and blood.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nine isolates were identified based on colony morphology, light microscopy, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based phylogeny.In vitroantifungal susceptibility of the fungal isolates was evaluated by the Etest to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nine isolates examined were confirmed asD. eschscholtzii. They exhibited typical features ofDaldiniasp. on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, with white felty colonies and black-gray coloration on the reverse side. Septate hyphae, branching conidiophore with conidiogenous cells budding from its terminus, and nodulisporium-like conidiophores were observed under the microscope. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the nine isolates were clustered within theD. eschscholtziispecies complex. All the isolates exhibited low MICs against azole agents (voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole), as well as amphotericin B, with MIC of less than 1 µg/ml.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early and definitive identification ofD. eschscholtziiis vital to reducing misuse of antimicrobial agents. Detailed morphological and molecular characterization as well as antifungal profiling ofD. eschscholtziiprovide the basis for future studies on its biology, pathogenicity, and medicinal potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kee Peng
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chai Ling
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Su Mei
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yew
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences, Taylor's University, Lakeside Campus , Subang Jaya , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Siok Koon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Yue Fen
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Hong Keat
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Looi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Shiang Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Na
authors.affiliation: Codon Genomics , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kok Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Codon Genomics , Selangor , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wai-Yan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.
authors.forename: Chee Sian
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kuan
keywords: Daldinia eschscholtzii; Internal transcribed spacer; Plylogenetic analysis