MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Phaeoacremonium tuscanicum and Phaeoacremonium indicum sp. nov. associated with subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis

Summary

Researchers identified two cases of rare fungal skin infections caused by Phaeoacremonium species. One case involved a new fungal species named Phaeoacremonium indicum discovered in an Indian patient, while the second case from Australia represented the first documented human infection with P. tuscanicum. Both patients were successfully treated through surgical removal of the infected tissue, though one patient was immunocompromised from a kidney transplant. This study highlights how genetic testing helps identify rare fungal species that cause human infections.

Background

Phaeoacremonium is a genus of fungi primarily known for causing plant diseases on trees and vines. While 11 species have been reported in human infections, this represents a rare occurrence. Two cases of subcutaneous fungal infection were identified with species identification being challenging based on morphology alone.

Objective

To identify and characterize Phaeoacremonium isolates from two cases of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis using morphological, cultural, and phylogenetic analysis. The study aimed to determine whether the isolates represented known species or potentially new species.

Results

One isolate from India was identified as a new species, Phaeoacremonium indicum, which showed distinct morphological features including slow growth and sepia-colored colonies. The second isolate from Australia was identified as P. tuscanicum, not previously reported in human infections. Both cases involved subcutaneous infections in bursal tissue.

Conclusion

P. indicum is formally described as a new species based on phylogenetic and morphological data. P. tuscanicum represents the first documented human infection by this species. Both patients were successfully treated through surgical excision, with immunocompromised status being a risk factor in one case.
  • Published in:Mycology,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 38558841, DOI: 10.1080/21501203.2024.2312917
Scroll to Top