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Current taxonomic status of the cultivable and uncultivable Paracoccidioides species

Summary

Paracoccidioides are fungi that cause serious infections in humans and dolphins. Scientists have recently reorganized and renamed these fungi into five different species—three that can be grown in labs and two that cannot. Some previously named species turned out to be invalid due to naming rule violations. This article explains the correct names and classifications that doctors and researchers should use.

Background

The genus Paracoccidioides comprises dimorphic fungal pathogens that cause paracoccidioidomycosis in humans and animals. Recent taxonomic work has distinguished between cultivable and uncultivable species within this genus, with important nomenclatural corrections needed.

Objective

To clarify the current taxonomic status and nomenclatural changes of Paracoccidioides species, including both cultivable and uncultivable species, and address omissions in recent literature regarding these classifications.

Results

Five Paracoccidioides species are recognized: three cultivable species (P. americana, P. brasiliensis, P. lutzii) and two uncultivable species (P. ceti, P. lobogeorgii). Several previously proposed species (P. restrepoana, P. venezuelensis) are invalid due to nomenclatural violations. A neotype for P. brasiliensis has been established at IAL 9803.

Conclusion

Current taxonomic and nomenclatural changes for Paracoccidioides species should be adopted by the medical mycology community. The disease names should be standardized as paracoccidiodomycosis ceti and paracoccidioidomycosis lobogeorgii, discontinuing the obsolete term ‘lobomycosis’.
  • Published in:Medical Mycology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 39496503, DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae108
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