The following chart describes slow-growing molds which are typically the more pathogenic group. Each group is listed in alphabetical order:
Organism | Disease and Site | Identifying Features | Other Comments |
Cladophialophora spp. | Chromo - and Phaeohyphomycosis; subcutaneous and brain abscess | Cladialophora type sporulation –long chains of elliptical conidia on erect, branching conidiophores | Common airborne molds |
Cladosporium spp. | The species capable of causing disease have been reclassified as Cladophilaphora | Note: see Cladialophora above | Common airborne molds Reclassified as Cladophilaphora |
Exophiala jeanselmei
| Mycetoma and phaeohyphomycosis
| Conidiogenous rocket-shaped cells darker than the supporting hyphae w. tapering annellated zones; conidia that aggregate in loose clusters or fall down the sides of the phialides. | |
Fonsecaea pedrosoi | Chromo - and Phaeohyphomycosis
| Mixed type of sporulation with distinct fonsecaea (rhinocladiella type) conidia produced laterally and around the tip of a straight phialide in F. pedrosoi. Short chains of elliptical conidia can also be produced by the same species (acrotheca). acrotheca: rhinocladiella: | Usually pathogenic; grows slowly; after 7 days develops small colony: |
Pleurostomophora richardsiae (formerly Phialophora richardsiae) | Phaeohyphomycotic cyst
| Long, flask-shaped, tapered phialide (arrow) that has a flat saucer-like terminus. Conidia occur in clusters at the tip of the phialide. These structures seen (at arrow) are among other fungi: | |
Phialophora verrucosa | Chromomycosis and phaeophyomycosis; granulomatous infection seen as brown-staining grains on direct microscopic observation | Produce vase-shaped phialides with distinct collarettes. Conidia occur in clusters at the tip of the phialide. | (direct prep showing "brown grains") |