Diagnosis and Identification of Slow-Growing Molds

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The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Mycology: Hyaline and Dematiaceous Fungi. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

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Diagnosis and Identification of Slow-Growing Molds

The following chart describes slow-growing molds which are typically the more pathogenic group. Each group is listed in alphabetical order:
OrganismDisease 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 pedrosoiChromo - 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 verrucosaChromomycosis 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")