Exophiala jeanselmei

Exophiala jeanselmei is a species of fungus that belongs to the Herpotrichiellaceae family. It is a black yeast-like fungus that is commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil and water.

Taxonomy

The genus Exophiala is part of the Ascomycota phylum, which is the largest phylum of fungi. The species jeanselmei was first described in 1922 by French mycologist Edouard Chatton.

Morphology

Exophiala jeanselmei is characterized by its dark pigmentation, which is due to the presence of melanin. It produces yeast-like cells and hyphae, which are thread-like structures. The hyphae can produce conidia, which are asexual spores that can spread the fungus.

Pathogenicity

Exophiala jeanselmei is an opportunistic pathogen, meaning it can cause disease in individuals with weakened immune systems. It can cause a variety of infections, including cutaneous and subcutaneous infections, as well as systemic infections. It has also been associated with phaeohyphomycosis, a group of diseases caused by dematiaceous (darkly pigmented) fungi.

Treatment

Treatment of infections caused by Exophiala jeanselmei can be challenging due to its resistance to many antifungal drugs. However, some antifungal drugs, such as itraconazole and amphotericin B, have been shown to be effective in some cases.

Epidemiology

Exophiala jeanselmei is found worldwide, but it is more common in tropical and subtropical regions. It is often found in soil and water, but it can also be found in man-made environments, such as bathrooms and saunas.

See also

• Exophiala dermatitidis
• Exophiala spinifera
• Phaeohyphomycosis